Score: Elmira College 3, SUNY Canton 2
Records: Elmira (5-4-3), SUNY Canton (4-10)
Location: Campus Field – Elmira, NY

Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College men's soccer team scored thrice in the second half to overcome a two-goal deficit and bounce the visiting SUNY Canton Kangaroos, 3-2, in non-conference action Wednesday afternoon at Campus Field.

Trailing 2-0 at the intermission, John Broyles '19 and Tony Barraco '18 connected a mere 11 seconds into the second half to spark the eventual come-from-behind victory. From his own defensive zone, Broyles booted the ball down field off of the kick-off. Canton keeper Austin Lamay left the goal to corral the ball in the box, but it took a high bounce over his outstretched arms, and Barraco was there to tap it in from the left side to cut the deficit in half.

The Soaring Eagles' offense, which outshot the Roos, 24-to-8, continued to manufacture prime scoring opportunities as the half wore on. Still trailing 2-1, Michael Bryant '17 ripped a shot on target in the 67th minute, forcing Lamay to sprawl to his left. The Canton sophomore netminder caught just enough off the ball to deflect it wide and off of the far post. Chris Aristizabal '16 followed in the 71st minute with a pair of shot attempts. His first was uncontested as he rifled the ball from the top of the 18-yard box, but Lamay was there for the save. Approximately 20 seconds later, Aristizabal found himself with a similar scoring chance, but pushed the ball wide.

In the 75th minute, Mike Walker '18 was dragged down inside the box by Canton midfielder Jose Menendez. Bryant found the back of the net on the ensuing penalty kick, knotting the game at 2-2. The Empire 8 Conference's leading goal scorer then tallied the game-winner in the 80th minute, as he headed in a corner kick from Barraco inside the right post.

The EC defense limited the Roos to only two shot attempts throughout the remaining 10-plus minutes. The first from Hunter Mowery was blocked and the latter was lifted high over the net by Tyler Gallegher as the final seconds ticked off the clock.

In Their Own Words...
Head Coach Keith Moore on the team's performance...
"We make it really difficult for ourselves at times because we aren't coming out as sharp as we need to. Today was a day where we could of done better with that and it probably would have saved us a lot of hard work. But ultimately, I'm proud of the guys for being able to comeback in the second half with three unanswered goals."

Coach Moore on what changed for the team to mount the second half comeback...
"I think our guys finally settled in and realized we're the better team today and they made it a point to go out and prove it. Halftime was kind of a resetting point for us and it was nice to see them taking the lead in those halftime discussions. They came out and did what they had to do."

Coach Moore on Barraco's goal 11 seconds into the second half...
"We wanted to come out and put them under pressure right away and that means putting the ball into areas that are difficult and uncomfortable for the other team. Sure enough, it paid off pretty quickly."

Coach Moore on Bryant's performance...
"Michael is an outstanding athlete. He just brings a certain confidence to the game. When he's on the field you know he is going to deliver time and time again. Obviously, he came up huge for us today, but its not just the goals. He makes the guys around him better as well with the energy and mentality that he brings to the pitch every day."

Inside the Box Score

• Elmira tripled SUNY Canton's shot total, 24-to-8.
• The Purple and Gold held a 9-to-3 advantage in corner kicks.
• Bryant finished with more shot attempts (12) than the entire opposing team combined.
• Bryant and Canton freshman Edward Malinoski, Jr. each scored twice.
• Barraco finished with one goal and one assist for Elmira.
• EC keeper Kevin Huggins '16 needed only one save to earn his second win.
• The only yellow card of the game was issued to Aristizabal in the 83rd minute.

News and Notes

• Elmira extended its unbeaten streak to seven consecutive games.
• With two more goals, Bryant has upped his season total to 14, tied for ninth on the EC single-season scoring list.
• Bryant is the first Elmira player to score at least 14 goals in a season since Joe Sears scored 16 in 1997.
• Now with 31 points on the year, Bryant is the first EC player to record at least 30 points in a season since Brian Haschke matched the feat in 2009, and the first with 31 since Sears did so in 1997.
• The Soaring Eagles improved to 5-1 all-time against SUNY Canton.

Up Next
The Elmira College men's soccer team is back at Campus Field on Saturday, October 17th when it hosts Empire 8 Conference foe Houghton College at 1:00 p.m.