ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's soccer team will send their seniors off in style when it squares off against Hartwick College in Empire 8 Conference action at Campus Field for Class of 2017 Recognition Day on Saturday, October 29th, at 1:00 p.m.
Last Time Out: The Purple and Gold dropped a tightly contested matchup against Alfred State, 2-0, under the lights at the Murray Athletic Center on Tuesday, October 25th. The Soaring Eagles got raced of the gates quickly, blasting six shots in the first 12 minutes of action. Freshman midfielder
Jennifer Flynn '20 started the attack with two shots in the first nine minutes. Despite this offensive aggression, the Soaring Eagles did not find the back of the net. The Pioneers got on the board first with a goal in the 15th minute from attacker Julia Yanarella. Alfred State added one more goal in the second half to take command of the match. The Soaring Eagles were unable to maintain their offensive aggression in the second half, firing only four shots in the second stanza, after recorcing 13 in the first half.
Thanking the Seniors: Today's match is designated to honor Elmira College's five graduating seniors -
Amanda Banner '17,
Mikayla Gowett '17,
Niki Lemper '17,
Maddie Miller '17 and
Kerri Wertman '17 - for all of their hard work and dedication to the women's soccer program throughout their EC careers.
Senior Wisdom: The Purple and Gold are losing a lot of experience with their graduating seniors. Three of the graduating players have multiple seasons with double-digit starts. Defender Wertman has had three straight seasons with at least 10 starts. Both midfielders Gowett and Lemper have had double-digit starts in two out of the last three seasons. The Purple and Gold will have to look to some of their younger talent to help replace all of the experience that they are losing.
Banner Close to History: After Tuesday's match, fourth-year goalkeeper Banner upped her season save total to 128. The Mullica Township, New Jersey, native currently sits in eighth-place on the EC all-time saves list with 297. With three more saves, Banner would become the eighth Soaring Eagle to crack the 300-saves milestone. The senior also needs just 14 more saves to pass Holly Newman '01 for seventh on the all-time saves list.
Scouting the Hawks: Hartwick enters today's contest playing good soccer of late, owning a three game win-streak. The Hawks have propelled themselves up the Empire 8 Conference standings, with two of their three conference victories coming in the last 10 days. Hartwick now owns the fourth and final spot in the E8 playoffs. In their last competition, the Hawks bested SUNY Oneonta, 2-1, after nabbing the decisive goal in the 80th minute. The Hawks have employed an even offensive strategy throughout the season with three players owning double-digit points. Sierra Bentley and Allie Ricci pace the team with 13, while Rachel Weir sits just behind them with 12. Bentley also ranks third in the E8 with nine assists.
Series History: Today's matchup will mark the 27th meeting between these conference foes. The Hawks own the slight lead in the series with a record of 14-8-4. Hartwick took home the victory in last season's meeting with a 4-0 win at home on Elmore Field. The last win in the series for the Purple and Gold came in a 2-1 victory on the road in September of 2011.
