Score: Elmira College 11, Keuka College 7
Records: Elmira (4-4, 1-2 Empire 8), Keuka (2-5, 0-1 NEAC)
Location: Jephson Community Athletic Complex – Keuka Park, NY

Keuka Park, NY -- The Elmira College women's lacrosse team won its third game in a row to even its record at .500 with an 11-7 victory over Keuka College in a non-conference game Wednesday afternoon.

The Soaring Eagles wasted little time before racing out to a 4-0 lead. Elmira received two goals in the opening minute of the game, the first from freshman Hayley Baker '19 only 32 seconds in and the latter from senior Moorea Spoljaric '16 at 44 seconds. Spoljaric then completed her natural hat trick with back-to-back free position goals.

The momentum quickly shifted in Keuka's favor, as the offense came to life when Spoljaric was assessed a pair of yellow cards. The first came at the 14:27 mark of the first half, and Keuka's Ashley Appell needed only 27 seconds to cash in with the power-play goal. Spoljaric was then penalized inside the final two minutes of the first half. KC's Elizabeth Sherman and Kendall Neuberger scored two goals, the first with the extra attacker, in the final 30 seconds of the period to bring the Wolfpack within two at 6-4.

Baker helped the Soaring Eagles secure the lead in the second half. After Keuka came within one on a Maura Gosson goal, Baker capped off her hat trick with two straight tallies. Elmira would later receive three unanswered goals from Laura Powell '16, Kyra McDonald '18, and Kara Yakel '16, allowing EC to put the game out of reach with its largest lead of the game at 11-6.

In Their Own Words
Head Coach Alexa Tardif on her team's performance in the win over Keuka…
"They worked together as a complete unit, and every member of our team worked hard together to overcome some adversity. Defensively, we did a good job shutting down Keuka's scoring opportunities."

Coach Tardif on what has allowed her team to piece together a three-game win streak…
"We've been uniting on the field. Our ability to connect with our teammates is improving with each game. Our improved decision making has also been a huge factor that has allowed us to be successful."

Coach Tardif on building off of the three-game win streak when Elmira returns to conference play on Saturday...
"I think that our non-conference play is very important to prepare us for our conference opponents. We are going to build off of these wins and are use this momentum in our favor this weekend against Hartwick."

Turning Point
The Wolfpack used a three-goal run to bridge the first and second halves, turning a four-goal deficit into a one-score difference early in the second half. Although the Elmira offense was forced to play the the majority of the contest without Spoljaric, rookie attacker Baker stepped with consecutive tallies to stop the bleeding and put the Soaring Eagles ahead 8-5.

Inside the Box

• Elmira outshot Keuka 30-to-12.
• EC held an 11-to-9 advantage in draw controls.
• The Soaring Eagles converted 3-of-7 free position shots, while Keuka scored on 1-of-2 free position restarts.
• Spoljaric scored a game-high four times in the first half before fouling out with two yellow cards.
• Baker also finished with four points, as she scored thrice with one helper.
• Sarah Hughson '18 registered three points with a goal and a game-high two assists. She also caused a game-high five turnovers.
• McDonald, Powell, and Yakel each scored once.
• Ali Barber '16 caused four turnovers on defense for the Purple and Gold.
• Lindsay Wargo '17 needed only three saves to earn the win in goal.
• Gosson and Neuberger led the Wolfpack with two goals and one assist apiece.
• Keuka goalie Alyna Thayer made nine saves and gave up 11 goals.

News and Notes

• Elmira's three-game win streak is its longest since the Soaring Eagles won five straight in the 2012 season.
• EC has a .500 record for the first time since sporting a 4-4 mark through the first eight games of the 2014 campaign.
• The Soaring Eagles have held opponents to single-digit goals in three straight games for the first time since 2007.
• Elmira is now 3-0 all-time against the Keuka.
• Spoljaric has scored at least once goal in 25 consecutive games and has at least four tallies in four straight.
• Baker's hat trick was the third of her rookie campaign.
• Hughson's five caused turnovers are a career high.
• Wargo's three victories in goal mark a single-season career high.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles return home to host Empire 8 Conference foe Hartwick College on Saturday, April 9th, at 1:00 p.m.