Score: Houghton College 1 – Elmira College 0 (2OT)
Records: Houghton (6-5-2, 2-3-0 E8), Elmira (1-10-1, 0-5-0 E8)
Location: Campus Field – Elmira, N.Y.
 
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- It took the full 90 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods to determine the outcome of today's Elmira College women's soccer matchup against Empire 8 Conference foe, Houghton College. Unfortunately for Elmira, Houghton's Cassie Pensyl knocked in the game-winning goal in the 102nd minute in the second overtime period to hand the Soaring Eagles their fifth conference loss of the year.
 
Houghton enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half, which resulted in eight shots in the opening 45 minutes. Six of Houghton's shots made their way on frame but Elmira netminder, Amanda Banner '17, turned away each attempt to keep the Highlanders scoreless.
 
Despite being limited to just four first-half shots, Elmira had a really good look with just about six minutes remaining in the half when Sara Kazerouni '18 beat a trio of Highlander defenders and headed inside the 18-yard box. From there, Kazerouni laced a shot with the inside of her right foot that just skimmed over the crossbar, as the two teams entered the halftime break tied at 0-0.
 
Elmira had another prime scoring opportunity, this one coming in the 59th minute of the second half, when the Soaring Eagles were awarded a penalty kick. EC's Amy Sullivan '18 stepped up to the 12-yard hash mark, but the attempt was saved by Houghton's Sadie Dunnett.
 
Strangely enough, the Highlanders were awarded a penalty kick of their own just about three minutes later, when a hard foul in the box prompted the call. Nikki Garns took the shot for Houghton and fired it towards the lower left corner. Banner came up clutch for the Purple and Gold, and made one of her career-high 13 saves to keep the Highlanders off of the scoreboard.
 
The Soaring Eagles had a handful of scoring chances inside the 18-yard box late in the second half, but none of their attempts would beat the Houghton keeper, as the game was pushed into extra time. After a scoreless first overtime period, Houghton's Pensyl followed up a shot by teammate McKenzie Marti in the 102nd minute and knocked in the game-winning goal.
 
Turning Point
Today's turning point was simply Houghton's game-winning goal. EC's Banner did a good job to stop Marti's initial shot, but the rebound went straight to Pensyl, who fired the ball into the empty net for the score.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Houghton held a 22-to-13 advantage in shots.
• The Highlanders placed 14 shots on goal, while EC had nine.
• Houghton created seven corner kick chances, as compared to Elmira's three opportunities.
• Pensyl scored the game-winning goal in the 102nd minute.
• Marti was credited with an assist on the game-winning score.
• Banner got the start between the posts and made 13 saves.

 
News and Notes

• Elmira dropped its third straight contest.
• The Soaring Eagles are 0-1-1 in overtime games this season.
• EC logged double-digit shots for the sixth time this year.
• Banner's 13 saves were a career high for the senior netminder.
• The 13 saves are the most made by an Elmira goalie since Megan Lowe '13 stopped 14 during the 2012 season.

 
Up Next
Elmira resumes its E8 schedule this Tuesday, October 18th, when the Soaring Eagles make the short tip up Route 13 to face the Bombers of Ithaca College. Tuesday's contest is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.