ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's soccer team will renew its Route 13 rivalry with Ithaca College, when the two programs square off in Empire 8 Conference action on Tuesday, October 18th, at 3:30 p.m. 

LAST TIME OUT: The Soaring Eagles lost a heart-wrenching contest against E8 foe Houghton College in double overtime. Elmira and Houghton were each held scoreless for over 101 minutes, until the Highlanders' Cassie Pensyl knocked in the decisive goal in the 102nd minute. Fourth-year Soaring Eagle Amanda Banner '17 played admirably despite being credited with the loss. Banner made a career-high 13 saves to keep the match scoreless. The Purple and Gold did have chances to take the lead. In the 39th minute, Sara Kazerouni '18 beat a trio of Houghton defenders into the 18-yard box and ripped a shot towards the net, but it sailed just over the crossbar. Elmira received another scoring opportunity in the 59th minute when they were awarded a penalty kick. Midfielder Amy Sullivan '18 stepped up and took the PK, but it was saved by Houghton's goaltender. 

BANNER DAY: Senior goalie Banner had an impressive day on Saturday. The Mullica Township, New Jersey, native set a new career high with 13 saves. Her 13saves are the most by an Elmira goalkeeper in a game since Megan Lowe '13 denied 14 shots against Clarkson University in September of 2012. Banner is also rising up the EC all-time record books. With Saturday's performance, she took sole possession of eighth place on the career saves list, passing Karissa Wilson '12 with 274.  

DOUBLE-OVERTIME MATCHES: The Purple and Gold are 1-1-2 in double-overtime games the last three seasons. In 2015, the Soaring Eagles beat Alfred State University, 1-0, thanks to a Jordyn Rousselle '18 goal 103rd minute. Both ties came in the 2014 season, one against Bard College and the other against the Highlanders. 

SCOUTING THE BOMBERS: Ithaca started the season on fire, winning eight of its first 11 matches. The Bombers' lone loss was at the hands of SUNY Cortland, 2-1, at Ithaca's Carp Wood Field. Ithaca last played on October 15th, when Nazareth College beat the Bombers, 1-0, on the road. With Saturday's loss, Ithaca's overall record now sits at 8-2-2, and its E8 record is currently 3-1-1. Ithaca seems to be more vulnerable at Carp Wood Field than on the road. At home, the Bombers are 4-2-2, while on the road their record is an unblemished 3-0-0. Senior forward Jocelyn Ravesi paces the Bombers and ranks third in the conference with 24 points on the season, with nine goals and six assists. Sophomore goalie Stacey DiGiorgio has impressed in her short time on the team. DiGiorgio ranks fourth in the conference in both save percentage (.846) and goals against average (.749).

SERIES HISTORY: Tuesday's contest will be the 25th meeting in the two programs' history. The Bombers hold a decisive edge in the all-time record, which currently sits at 20-2-2. Last season the Purple and Gold lost 4-0 to the No. 25 ranked Ithaca on Campus Field. 

UP NEXT: The Purple and Gold will have another tough matchup on their hands when they host No.5 ranked Stevens Institute of Technology to Campus Field for an Empire 8 matchup on Saturday, October 22, at 12:00 p.m.