Elmira College (4-9) at University of Rochester (10-4)
Tuesday, October 20, 2015 | 6:00 P.M. | Edwin Fauver Stadium – Rochester, NY
Live Coverage
 
Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College field hockey team will wrap-up its non-conference road slate on Tuesday evening when it heads to the Flower City to face the University of Rochester.
 
Last Time Out
The Elmira College field hockey team also recognized its Class of 2016 this past weekend when it welcomed St. John Fisher College to the Murray Athletic Center. The Soaring Eagles honored Emily Castelli '16 and Alli Gilbert '16 in a pregame ceremony at midfield. Unfortunately, the Empire 8 leading Cardinals spoiled the party once the game got underway. The visitors controlled play for much of the afternoon in sending the Soaring Eagles to their third consecutive 4-0 shutout defeat. Emily Markarian '18 gashed the Elmira defense for two goals, while she fired 12 shot attempts in the game. Mikayla Rebusmen '17 played strongly for the Soaring Eagles in her third consecutive start, but the offense could not get on track to mount a comeback effort.
 
All-Time Series
Elmira has historically struggled against Rochester since the two programs met for the first time in 2001. The Soaring Eagles are just 2-12 against the regional power all-time, while the Yellowjackets enter the matchup on an 11-game winning streak in the overall series. Both Elmira victories came in 1-0 and 2-0 shutouts during the 2002 season. The Purple and Gold have been outscored 55-to-10 over the 11 matchups since Elmira's last win.
 
Cold Spell
As the temperatures have dipped over recent games, so has the production of the Elmira offense. After tallying at least one goal in seven consecutive contests en route to posting a 4-3 record over the stretch, the Soaring Eagle attack has been grounded in its current three-game losing streak. The Purple and Gold have been shut out by identical 4-0 scores in each of the last three contests. It marked the first time since the 2010 season that Elmira has been held off the scoreboard in three straight contests. It won't get any easier for the EC offense, as the University of Rochester boasts the seventh-ranked scoring defense in NCAA Division III in terms of goals-against average (0.71).
 
Gilbert Goes for Goal
Although she has been held off the score sheet in recent games, Elmira's greatest scoring chances are still coming off the stick of standout forward Alli Gilbert '16. She remains near the top of the Empire 8 rankings in terms of assists (6) and points (14). She currently needs two more assists to equal the highest single-season total in the history of the program, while she needs just six points to tie Kayla Blank '09 for second-most all-time.
 
Scouting the University of Rochester
The Yellowjackets are once again one of the top teams in the region this season, entering the weekend with a 10-4 overall record on the year. It is the Rochester's 12^th consecutive season that the team has amassed double-digit wins. Rochester currently sits just outside of the Top-20 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) NCAA Division III Poll. The Yellowjackets get it done with defense, entering the matchup with just 10 goals allowed on the season. Seven of the team's 10 wins have come by way of a shutout, while it has allowed two or more goals just twice all year. Tara Lamberti '16 guides the backline with her dominant work in the cage. She ranks ninth in NCAA Division III with a 0.74 goals against average, while she boasts the nation's fourth-best save percentage at .868. Michelle Relin '16 leads the team offensively with 27 points on 10 goals and four assists.
 
Looking Ahead
Elmira will return to conference play on Saturday, October 24^th, when the Soaring Eagles head to Houghton College for a 12:00 p.m. start.