Elmira College (6-4-3) vs. SUNY New Paltz (10-6-0)
Tuesday, October 20, 2015 | 3:00 P.M. | South Turf Field – New Paltz, NY
Live Coverage
 
Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College men's soccer team will look to build on last Saturday's result, a 3-1 conference win over Houghton College, as the Soaring Eagles travel tomorrow, October 20th, to take on non-conference opponent SUNY New Paltz. Tomorrow's non-conference tilt is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
 
Last Time Out
Elmira is coming off an impressive 3-1 win at home against Houghton College in an all-important Empire 8 Conference game last Saturday. Michael Bryant '17 fueled the Elmira offense with a pair of goals, one in the first half on a header and another in the second on a penalty kick. Donte Donegal '18 added to the EC score line, as he punched-in his first goal of the year in the closing minutes of the game. Elmira's Victor Rosas-Granda '18 and Zach Koller '17 were each credited with assists in the win.
 
Unbeaten Streak Reaches Eight
After a 1-4-0 start to the season, the Elmira men have come into form at just the right time. The Soaring Eagles are unbeaten in its last eight games, going 5-0-3 during that stretch. Elmira's eight game unbeaten streak is the longest the program has experienced since 2012, when the Purple and Gold opened the year with eight consecutive victories. Prior to 2012, Elmira posted a 10-game unbeaten streak by going 9-0-1 to open the 2011 campaign.
 
First Time Since 2013
In Elmira's two-goal win over Houghton, the Soaring Eagles were outshot but still managed to walk away with the victory. The last time Elmira was outshot but still won the game dates back to the 2013 season, when the Purple and Gold were outshot 14-to-9 by, coincidentally, Houghton in a game EC won, 1-0.
 
Bryant Etches Name in Record Books
Bryant's two goals against Houghton bring his season total to 16 and his season point total to 35, which not only leads the team, but also the Empire 8 Conference. His 35 points this year ranks 10th in EC single-season history, as Bryant becomes the first Elmira player to crack the top-10 since 1997. Additionally, his 16 goals are tied for fourth-most in college history and just four shy of tying current record holder, Dennis French, who set the mark in 1990 with 20 goals.
 
A Day of Firsts
In EC's victory against Houghton, Elmira saw a trio of players put points to their names for the first time this season. Donegal's goal in the 89th minute marked his first goal of the season and first since October 4, 2014. Classmate Rosas-Granda was credited with an assist on Elmira's first goal of the game, as his cross into the box was headed in by Bryant to open the day's scoring. Rosas-Granda's assist is his first of the season and first since October 1, 2014. Koller tallied an assist on the Donegal goal, which not only was his first assist of the season, but also the first of his collegiate career.
 
Mansell Continues to Deliver
Senior netminder Austin Mansell '16 has been enjoying the most successful year of his EC career between the posts. After making seven saves in a 3-1 win over Houghton, Mansell improved to 4-1-3 on the year and is unbeaten in his last seven starts. He has 36 saves on the season and a 1.38 goals against average, which is the lowest GAA by an Elmira goalie since 2012.
 
Scouting New Paltz
It has been a bounce-back year for SUNY New Paltz, as the Hawks are 10-6-0 after going 5-11-2 the previous season. Jason Gonzalez leads the Hawks offense with 23 points on 10 goals and three assists. His 10 goals are tied for third-most in the ultra-competitive SUNYAC Conference. Not far behind is Tyler Lundergren, who has 17 points on six goals and five assists this season. Defensively, John Guzzo has played in every minute between the posts for the Hawks. He has 47 saves on the year and boasts a 1.67 goals against average.
 
Looking Ahead
Following Tuesday's road game, Elmira will travel to neighboring Ithaca College on Saturday, October 24th, for an Empire 8 Conference showdown that will hold playoff implications. Saturday's bout with the Bombers is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.