Score: Alfred University 2, Elmira College 1 (2OT)
Records: Alfred (8-7-2, 2-3-2 E8), Elmira (4-10-3, 1-5-1 E8)
Location: Alfred, N.Y. -- Yunevich Stadium

ALFRED, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's soccer team was 29 seconds away from a season-ending draw with Empire 8 Conference foe, Alfred University, but a last-minute goal vaulted the Saxons to a 2-1 double-overtime victory over the shorthanded Soaring Eagles in Saturday's season 2016 finale.

In a wild game that featured 10 combined cards between the two squads, it was the Soaring Eagles who would first benefit from an infraction. In the 12^th minute, AU's James Piombino was issued a yellow card inside the 18-yard box and the Purple and Gold were rewarded with a penalty kick. Third-year midfielder Tony Barraco '18 was called upon to take the free kick and the Liverpool, New York, native converted to give Elmira the early 1-0 advantage.

EC briefly maintained its one-goal cushion, until reigning Empire 8 All-Conference First Teamer, Richard Lander, knotted the game in the 27^th minute. That tally would send the Soaring Eagles and the Saxons into the halftime intermission tied at 1-all.

Not only did the Saxons amp up the pressure with 15 of their 27 shots in the second half, but the Purple and Gold soon found themselves down a man when Aidan Gray '19 was issued a red card in the 75^th minute. With EC playing with 10 men on the field, Alfred was able to launch a barrage of shots toward netminder Jordan Hodlofski '17, but the senior managed to save a total of five second-half shots to force the extra sessions.

Barraco looked to play hero for the Soaring Eagles near the conclusion of the first overtime session. EC's only shot on goal following the red card and subsequent ejection came with 19 seconds remaining in the period and forced Alfred goalie Chris Gutierrez to record his only save of the day to preserve the tie. With only 29 seconds remaining before the contest was declared a draw, Alfred's Aiden Calkins beat Hodlofski, allowing the Saxons to complete the comeback in the 110^th minute.

Turning Point
Elmira College managed to fire only six overall shots and three shots on goal at the Alfred net all evening. EC's already limited production was hampered even further when Gray was sidelined with a red card. While Barraco made good on his early penalty kick to put the the Soaring Eagles ahead by one, his attempt in the 100^th minute, which was Elmira's only shot following the red card, was saved by Gutierrez, setting up AU for the double-overtime winner.

Inside the Box Score

• Elmira was outshot, 27-to-6 overall, and 3-to-1 in the two overtime sessions.
• The Saxons finished with a sizable advantage in corner kicks, 8-to-1.
• The two teams combined for 10 total cards.
• Alfred was issued five yellow cards, while EC was handed a costly red card in the 75^th minute.
• Barraco converted a penalty kick in the 12^th minute for Elmira's only score.
• Lander and Calkins each tallied once for the Saxons.
• Hodlofski allowed two goals and made six saves in 109:31.
• Gutierrez needed only one save to earn the victory for AU.

News and Notes

• Elmira concluded the 2016 fall season with a 4-10-3 overall record.
• The final three games of the season all reached double overtime.
• EC went 0-2-3 in overtime games throughout the year.
• Barraco tied his previous single-season career-high with three goals as a junior.
• Barraco's successful PK was the first of his three-year career.
• Although Hodlofski ended his brief tenure as a goalkeeper without a win, he recorded a respectable 1.11 goals-against average and .821 save percentage with 32 stops in six total appearances.