Score: Mary Washington 4, Elmira College 1
Records: Mary Washington (2-1), Elmira College (0-2)
Location: Campus Field | Elmira, NY

Elmira, NY -- The Eagles of the University of Mary Washington handed the Elmira College women's soccer team a 4-1 loss in its 2015 home opener at Campus Field Sunday afternoon.

Sara Kazerouni '18 scored her first goal of the season in the 86th minute to avoid being shut out by Mary Washington. She took the through-ball from Courtney Burgazli '16 to set up the one-on-one chance against Eagles goalkeeper Sara Armor.

It was one of EC's rare opportunities to threaten the Eagles' defense. Looking to bounce back from its shutout loss to SUNY Geneseo on Friday, the Mary Washington offense maintained possession for the majority of the contest, applying pressure on the Soaring Eagles' defense early and often. The Eagles released three shots in a span of less than two minutes, the latter a header pushed wide of the net by UMW's Allie Branum in the 10th minute. EC goalkeeper Gabe Carmona '18 made three of her nine saves before the Eagles struck in the 20th minute on a goal from Christiana Myers.

In the 37th minute, Kerri Clark '18 sailed Elmira's best scoring opportunity of the first half high as she attempted to sneak the ball inside the far post. Just before the half, UMW's Ellie Maston tucked a cross from Grace Friedl's corner kick just inside the left post to give the Eagles a 2-0 advantage in the 44th minute.

Carmona's most impressive save of the afternoon came in the 67th minute to preserve the two-goal deficit. She denied Friedl by making a leaping one-handed save that otherwise would have entered just beneath the crossbar.

Mary Washington added two more unanswered goals in the 68th and 80th minutes to pull ahead by four, the first from Marisa Madaras and the latter from Lizzie Weast.

Just over a minute before netting EC's only goal of the day, Kazerouni had created another scoring opportunity for the Purple and Gold, but her shot from the left side hit the near post and bounced wide of the net.

Turning Point
After their first seven shots of the second half failed to find the back of the net, the Eagles broke through in the 68th minute. Michelle Gibbons fed Madaras with a through-ball from the defensive zone to extend the lead to three goals.

Inside the Box Score

• Mary Washington outshot Elmira, 27-to-7.
• Elmira held a 10-to-1 advantage in saves.
• Burgazli and Kazerouni led EC with two shots apiece.
• Rachael Smith '16 put a shot on goal in the 65th minute.
• UMW starting goalkeeper Haley Randall made one save without allowing a goal in 70:41.
• Carmona made nine saves in 79:39. Amanda Banner '17 played the remaining 10:21 in her first appearances of 2015.

News and Notes

• The victory gives Mary Washington a 1-0 lead in the all-time series vs. EC.
• Kazerouni's goal was the first of the season and fourth of her career.
• Burgazli's assist was the first of her career.
• Sunday's game marked the first time Carmona surrendered more than three goals in a game in her EC career.
• The four goals allowed are the most by the Soaring Eagles at Cmapus Field since losing 4-1 to Hartwick College on October 17, 2012.

Up Next
The Elmira College women are back in action on Saturday, September 12th when they host Plattsburgh State in a non-conference matchup at Campus Field at 12 p.m. The Soaring Eagles will look to avenge the 1-0 road loss against the Cardinals in 2014.