Elmira College Soaring Eagles (0-2) vs. Delaware Valley University Aggies (1-0)
Saturday, September 5, 2015 | 1:00 P.M. | Pine Valley, NY – Murray Athletic Center
Live Coverage | Twitter: @ECSoaringEagles
 
Elmira, NY – After opening the season by dropping both ends of a tough back-to-back against #19 SUNY Cortland and SUNY Geneseo, Elmira College Field Hockey will look to get into the win column this weekend when it welcomes Delaware Valley University to the Murray Athletic Center. The Purple and Gold has shown some promising flashes at both ends during the season's first two fixtures, while continuing its traditionally strong goalkeeping; however, it has not translated into a breakthrough in terms of the team's record. The Soaring Eagles will look to put it all together against an Aggie squad that is coming off a hard fought 2-1 victory over Neumann University this past Tuesday. Start time for Saturday's contest is slated for 1:00 p.m.
 
All-Time Series
Elmira is 0-1 all-time against Delaware Valley with the only meeting between the two programs coming last season in Doylestown, PA. The Aggies bested the Soaring Eagles 8-1, posting four goals in each half. Alison Mariano '18 tallied the lone goal for Elmira in the 47^th-minute, chipping in her first collegiate goal off of a penalty corner play. Saturday will be the first meeting between the two programs at the Murray Athletic Center.
 
Gilbert Sparks the Offense
The Elmira College offense has taken awhile to get up and running this season, but it looks to have gotten the wheels moving in the right direction in the final moments against SUNY Geneseo. Forward Alli Gilbert '16 finally broke the ice with EC's first goal of the year in the 69^th-minute against the Knights, slotting a shot into the lower right corner of the cage to break a nearly 139-minute scoring drought to begin the season. The goal was the 24^th of Gilbert's career, as she moved within 12 of tying the all-time mark of 36 set by Callie Black '05.
 
Rebusmen Shines in Start
Mikayla Rebusmen '17 has gotten off to a fantastic start to the 2015 season. Coming on in relief to begin the second half in the season opener, she registered three saves while allowing just one goal, which came with just a handful of seconds remaining in the game. She got the starting nod the following evening against SUNY Geneseo and did not disappoint. The third-year keeper made a career-high 16 saves in defeat, including several sparkling stops to keep the Soaring Eagles within striking distance.
 
Impact Newcomers
Elmira has gotten a nice boost on the offensive end from newcomers Matilda Kennedy-Butler '19 and Kristy Haskell '19. Both players have become immediate starters for the Soaring Eagles and have already shown their potential in the attacking third. Although neither player has been able to crack the scoreboard, they both are tied for the team lead with Alli Gilbert '16 with each player tallying two shots on goal through the first two games of 2015.
 
Scouting the Aggies
Delaware Valley enters the matchup with a 1-0 record on the year after dispatching Neumann University 2-1 on the road in the season opener. Senior forward Taylor Prichett tallied both goals for the Aggies, while Carlie Baldus and Timera Brooks-Watts each added an assist in the victory. Prichett is the unquestioned leader of the Green and Gold offense, as she now ranks third all-time in program history with 39 career goals and 93 career points. Senior keeper Emily Aldridge was excellent in the cage for the Aggies, making 13 saves while allowing just one goal in 70 minutes of work.
 
Looking Ahead
The Soaring Eagles will return to the road for a midweek matchup as the squad travels to Keuka College to take on the Wolfpack on Tuesday, September 8^th. Start time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.