Score: Elmira College 1, SUNY New Paltz 1 – 2OT
Records: Elmira (6-4-4) vs. SUNY New Paltz (10-6-1)
Location: South Turf Field – New Paltz, NY
 
New Paltz, NY -- After holding a one-goal lead for just over 40 minutes of the second half, the Elmira College men's soccer team surrendered a late goal in the closing minutes of regulation, which ultimately resulted in a 1-1 double overtime tie against SUNY New Paltz. Elmira's Michael Bryant '17 scored his conference-leading 17th goal of the season in the 48th minute of today's game, while rookie John Broyles '19 was credited with his fourth assist of the season. With today's tie, Elmira extends its unbeaten streak to nine games.
 
Bryant's goal this afternoon puts the Portola Hills, CA native in a two-way tie for third place in Elmira College history for most single-season goals (17). He also moves into a three-way tie for seventh place in EC history for single-season points (37). Additionally, Bryant increases his career goal total to 22, which is good enough to place tied for ninth in Elmira history.
 
The Soaring Eagles survived an early flurry of offense from New Paltz, as the Hawks unleashed four shots in the opening 10 minutes of the game compared to Elmira's one. During that time, EC netmidner Kevin Huggins '16 made one save, as Elmira's defense came up with a two key blocks to keep the Hawks attack at bay.
 
Elmira had several scoring chances in the first half, none better than in the 17th minute, when Bryant laced a shot on target. Bryant's shot evaded the New Paltz netminder, but a Hawks defender was in the vicinity to make a key defensive save, as the game remained scoreless through the early portion of the half and into the halftime break.
 
The opening minutes of the second half would be a good one for the Purple and Gold, as Bryant scored on his first shot attempt of the half at the 48 minute mark. After receiving a pass in the box from Broyles, Bryant fired a shot that beat the Hawks goalie to put the Soaring Eagles ahead, 1-0.
 
However, from that point on, Elmira's offense would struggle to generate chances, much of that having to do with a heightened urgency on offense by New Paltz. The Hawks would outshoot EC 7-to-1 following the Bryant goal. Huggins came up with one save during that time as New Paltz's chances would miss high and wide.
 
Unfortunately for Elmira, with the game nearly coming to a close, the Soaring Eagles would be called for a foul inside their own box, giving the Hawks a penalty kick with just 1:15 left on the game clock. New Paltz would send Jason Gonzalez to the 12-yard mark, who would make good on the chance to even things up at 1-1 and send the game into overtime.
 
In the first overtime period, the Hawks' Sam Spring was whistled for a foul, one that resulted in a red card which sent him off the field in the 96th minute. Playing with an 11-on-10 advantage, Elmira looked to take advantage of their strength in numbers but unfortunately, EC was held to one shot over the final 14:52, as the game ended in a 1-1 double overtime draw.
 
Turning Point
After taking a 1-0 lead on Bryant's 17th goal of the season, Elmira's offense went silent, as the Soaring Eagles were held to one shot in the final 42 minutes of regulation and just two shots in the final 62 minutes of play. At the time of Bryant's goal, the shot count was dead even at 6-6 but the game would end with New Paltz enjoying the majority of chances at 15-to-8.
 
Inside the Box Score

• New Paltz enjoyed the majority of scoring chances with a 15-to-8 lead in shots.
• The Hawks also held a slim 4-to-3 advantage in shots on goal.
• Corner kick chances were heavily in favor of New Paltz, 9-to-3.
• Bryant's tally occurred exactly at the 48 minute mark of today's game.
• Broyles was credited with an assist on Bryant's game-opening goal.
• New Paltz scored the equalizer at the 88:45 mark of the second half.
• EC goalie, Huggins, made three saves in the tie.
• Huggins is now 2-3-2 on the season.

 
News and Notes

• Elmira extends its unbeaten streak to nine games, the longest such streak since 2011.
• With today's tie, Elmira is 2-2-2 in road games and 2-0-2 in its last four road contests.
• EC is 3-0-0 following a tie this season.
• Bryant added to his season goal total, which now stands at 17.
• Today's goal puts Bryant in a two-way tie for third place in EC history for most goals in a season.
• Bryant becomes the first player since 1996 to score 17 or more goals in a single-season for Elmira.
• Today's goal also increases Bryant's season point total to 37, putting him in a three-way tie for seventh place in EC single-season history.
• Bryant becomes the first player since 1997 to tally 37 or more points in one season.
• Additionally, Bryant's goal bring his career total to 22, good enough to place tied for ninth in Elmira history.
• Bryant has scored in seven straight contests and in 11-of-13 games played this year.
• Broyles ups his season point total to four, all of which derived from assists.
• Broyles' four assists are the most by an EC rookie in the last three years.

  
Up Next
Elmira will have a handful of days to prepare for their next contest, an October 24th matchup with Empire 8 Conference foe, Ithaca College. Saturday's conference bout, which will ultimately hold playoff implications, is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Ithaca's Carp Wood Field.