Elmira College (4-10, 1-5 Empire 8) at Houghton College (7-7, 2-4 Empire 8)
Saturday, October 24, 2015 | 12:00 P.M. | Burke Field – Houghton, NY
Live Coverage
 
Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College field hockey team will look to get back on track this coming weekend when it travels to Houghton College for an Empire 8 Conference clash with the Highlanders at 12:00 p.m.
 
Last Time Out
Elmira ran into a buzz saw in its last contest on Tuesday evening against the University of Rochester. The Yellowjackets filled the cage early and often, jumping out to a 5-0 lead at halftime, en route to an 8-0 win. The Soaring Eagles fired four shots on goal, but were held off the scoreboard for the fourth consecutive game.
 
All-Time Series
Elmira is 3-7 against Houghton College in the all-time series. The Soaring Eagles took the first meeting between the two programs in a 5-4 victory in a tournament at Houghton in 2002. The Highlanders proceeded to take the next six games in the series, with five of those victories coming by way of shutout. The series has shifted in Elmira's favor as of late, as the Purple and Gold have won two of the last three contests. Alli Gilbert '16 powered the Soaring Eagles to a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over the Highlanders last season, scoring her hat-trick game-winning goal with an arcing shot over the keeper just 52-seconds into the extra session.
 
Goal Drought
The Elmira offense was hot as wildfire during the middle portion of this season; however, the Soaring Eagles are currently mired in one of its longest scoring slumps in recent years. The Purple and Gold were held scoreless for the fourth consecutive game in the loss to the University of Rochester. It is the first time since 2010 that Elmira has been shutout in four consecutive contests. Elmira hasn't been held off the scoreboard in five straight matches since September 11-29 of 2007. Coincidentally, that five-game stretch started with 2-0 loss to Houghton.
 
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.
 
Hockenberger Returns to the Cage
Second-year netminder Julie Hockenberger '18 notched her first start since October 3^rd, against Oswego State, on Tuesday evening against the University of Rochester. It was not an easy return to the starting 11 for the keeper, as she was peppered by the Yellowjackets early and often. She held the Purple and Gold within striking distance for a while, concluding her night with nine saves in 35 minutes of action.
 
Scouting Houghton
The Highlanders enter the weekend with a 7-6 overall record and a 2-4 mark within Empire 8 Conference play. Houghton is hanging around the periphery of contention for the fourth and final berth to the conference tournament, but will need to win-out and get some help in the process. It has been an up-and-down season for the Highlanders. After dropping three straight contests against Empire 8 foes in Stevens Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College and Utica College, the team rallied with three consecutive victories. Houghton is in the middle of a down stretch, entering with losses in three of their last four games. Kristin McKane leads the team offensively with seven goals and 15 points on the year. Kelsie Ashley (4g-5a) and Marissa Hollinger (4g-3a) provided nice complimentary options on the attacking end. Elizabeth Piszker has seen the majority of the time in the cage, posting a solid 1.69 goals against average, while tallying three shutouts on the year.
 
Looking Ahead
Elmira will close out their home slate on Wednesday, October 28^th, when the Soaring Eagles welcome Wells College for a 3:30 p.m. start at the Murray Athletic Center.