Score: Elmira College 3, Utica College 1
Records: Elmira College (2-6, 2-0 E8), Utica College (2-5-2, 0-2 E8)
Location: Campus Field | Elmira, NY

Elmira, NY -- Sparked by a two-goal effort from Jordyn Rousselle '18, a rejuvenated Elmira College women's soccer team defeated Utica College, 3-1, Saturday afternoon at Campus Field.

With the victory, the Soaring Eagles improved to 2-0 inside the Empire 8 Conference, and appear to have put their woeful six-game season-opening losing streak in the rearview mirror. For the second time this week, EC established season-highs for goals, shot attempts (19) and shots on goal (12).

The EC offense wasted little time before Rousselle found the back of the net in the seventh minute. Initially, it looked as if the shot by Niki Lemper '17 from the right-wing side would roll harmlessly wide of the net, but Rousselle was there to tap in the ball in the bottom left corner of the goal to give the Purple and Gold a 1-0 advantage.

Rousselle then assisted on EC's second tally, scored by Sara Kazerouni '18 in the 12th minute. The second-year midfielder stole a pass at midfield and sent a deep through-ball towards the goal. Utica goalkeeper Jamie Enders charged out of the goal box but was unable to gather the ball, giving Kazerouni as easy shot to put EC ahead by two.

The Pioneers possessed the ball for much of the remainder of the first half, and threatened to score on several chances. Ciara McIlvenney sent a shot just high of the crossbar in the 26th minute and Keri Berkowtiz bounced one off of it in the 32nd minute. EC goalkeeper Gabe Carmona '18 was then forced to make a pair of saves less than 20 seconds apart in the 39th and 40th minutes.

The Soaring Eagles maintained their two-goal cushion until the 58th minute. In the first 11 minutes out of the locker room, EC fired six of its 12 second-half shots. The seventh shot of the period proved to be the lucky one as Rousselle ripped a shot high over the outstretched arms of Kimberly Beattie, who played the second half in goal for Utica.

The Pioneers avoided the shutout as freshman midfielder Jenna Mazza netted her team-best fourth goal of the season in the 66th minute.

In Their Own Words…
Head coach Kaitlyn Mallernee on the win...
"We came out strong in the first 25 minutes of the first half. We played like a team, we found feet, and we actually communicated and took shots. Altogether, they're coming out stronger and more confident."

Coach Mallernee on Jordyn Rousselle '18...
"She played with a tremendous amount of confidence. When she sees that she has a shot, she's just taking it and not thinking too much about it. I think it has all to do with confidence."

Coach Mallernee on being in first place in the E8 despite slow start to the season...
"Having an 0-6 record coming into conference play will keep us humble because we remind them of that. However, the 2-0 record in the conference will keep us confident. We're playing game-to-game. We tell them to enjoy the win now, but come Monday, we're focused on the next game."

Turning Point
Already leading by one, the Soaring Eagles had a prime opportunity to increase the lead in the ninth minute. Courtney Burgazli '16 nearly buried a header off of a corner kick from Amy Sullivan '18, but Enders was there to stop the shot. However, only three minutes passed before Rousselle stole the ball from the Pioneers at midfield to set up Kazerouni for the game-winning score.

Inside the Box

• EC's goals were scored by Rousselle and Kazerouni.
• Assists were recorded by Rousselle, Lemper and Katie D'Amico '16.
• Utica outshot Elmira, 24-to-19, but EC had more shots on goal, 12-to-10.
• Burgazli led all players with six attempted shots and five shots on goal.
• After attempting six corner kicks in the second half, EC finished with the advantage in the category, 7-to-5.
• Carmona recorded eight saves in goal for the Soaring Eagles.
• Enders and Beattie each played one half and combined for nine saves for Utica.

News and Notes

• The two-goal performance marked the first multi-goal game of Rousselle's career.
• Rousselle now leads EC with three goals and seven points on the season.
• Kazerouni's goal was her second of the year.
• Carmona earned her second straight win in goal and improved to 2-2 on the season.
• Mazza's goal was the first for Utica in the last six meetings vs. EC; the Soaring Eagles have outscored the Pioneers 20-1 in that span.
• The win is the sixth consecutive in the series for the Purple and Gold.
• Elmira moves into first place in the Empire 8 Conference with a 2-0 league record.

Up Next
The Elmira College women's soccer team continues play inside the Empire 8 Conference when it visits the Ducks of Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, on Saturday, October 3rd at 3:00 p.m.