Score: SUNY Cortland 6 – Elmira College 2
Records: Cortland (1-0), Elmira (0-1)
Location: Campus Field – Elmira, NY
 
Elmira, NY -- An upset was brewing on Campus Field this afternoon, as the Elmira College men's soccer team held a 2-0 halftime lead against No. 19 nationally ranked, and visiting, SUNY Cortland.  However, the Soaring Eagles were unable to duplicate their performance in the second half, as the Red Dragons of Cortland marched away with a 6-2 victory on opening day.
 
Elmira's Michael Bryant '17 gave the Purple and Gold a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute by taking advantage of a misplayed ball off of Cortland's goal kick.  Bryant intercepted a pass in the backend, giving the California native a one-on-one with the Red Dragon goalie before one-touching it to the side of the box and knocking-in Elmira's first goal of the year.
 
Kurt Bartholomew '18 gave Elmira a two-goal cushion in the 23rd minute on a highlight real strike from inside the 18-yard box.  Bartholomew's one-timer made its way through traffic and into the right side of the net for the score. Assisting on the play was Bryant. 
 
Unfortunately, Elmira's 2-0 lead lasted as long as the 56th minute of the match, at which point Cortland scored their first goal of the game on a penalty kick.  From there, the nationally ranked Red Dragons would score five additional goals en route to a 6-2 win.
 
Turning Point
Elmira looked to be in the driver's seat until the 56th minute, when an EC player was called for a hand ball in the box, giving Cortland a penalty kick. Cortland's Daniel Friend buried the 12-yard shot into the lower right corner past a diving Kevin Huggins '16.  Friend's penalty kick ignited a 6-0 scoring run by the Red Dragons.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Cortland outshot Elmira 28-to-8, including an 18-to-2 advantage in the second half.
• Cortland held a 12-to-4 advantage in corners, including an 8-to-2 edge in the first half.
• Elmira nearly took a 3-0 lead on a shot by Bryant that caromed off the post in the 27th minute.
• Elmira fended-off seven Red Dragon corners in the final 11 minutes of the first half.
• Elmira put two shots on-goal, their only two shots on-goal in today's game, both of which found the back of the net for scores.

 
News and Notes

• Kevin Huggins made seven saves in his first appearance since 2014, which was also against Cortland, a game he also stopped seven shots.
• Michael Bryant's goal was his first since October 16th, 2013 against SUNY Canton.
• Bryant's season-opening goal in the 19th minute is the quickest goal scored by Elmira since October 16th, 2013 against SUNY Canton.
• Kurt Bartholomew's goal in the 23rd minute is the first of his Elmira career.
• Cortland now owns a 12-3-0 edge in the all-time series.

 
Up Next
Elmira will look to bounce back this Friday, September 4th, when the Soaring Eagles host non-conference opponent Susquehanna University.  Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at EC's Campus Field in Elmira, NY.