CORTLAND, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's soccer team put forth a valiant effort on the road in tonight's season opener against SUNY Cortland under the lights at Jets Stadium, but goals by the Red Dragons in the first and second half proved to be too much to overcome, as the Soaring Eagles fell by a 2-0 final.
 
It took less than 12 minutes for the game's first goal to be scored, but unfortunately the game-opening goal came from the boot of Cortland's Nick Tata. A well-struck ball by Tata made its way through traffic and beat EC's starting goalkeeper, Jacob Liese '20, near post for the score.
 
Tata's goal held up through the first half, but the Red Dragons had plenty of scoring chances to increase their lead, especially midway through the first half. In the 24th minute, a well-timed through-ball found a Cortland striker behind EC's back line, giving him a one-on-one with Liese. Elmira's rookie netminder rushed off his line and challenged the Cortland striker, before smothering the ball and neutralizing the threat.
 
The second half of tonight's game was fairly even, as Cortland only outshot Elmira 6-5, compared to the first-half shot total of 10-3. EC had its chances throughout the half, but Cortland put the game out of reach in the 78th minute on a power-header by Derek Beers that bulged the net. Beers' goal on the corner kick sealed a 2-0 Red Dragon victory.
 
Turning Point
Although the Red Dragons tallied 12 minutes into the first half, the Soaring Eagles tightened things up defensively in the second and produced a handful of quality scoring chances. However, the momentum shifted back to Cortland at the 78-minute mark, when Beers pummeled a header into the back of the net on a corner kick. The Cortland goal all but sealed the Red Dragons' 2-0 win.
 
Inside the Box

• Cortland tallied in the 12th and 78th minutes of tonight's opener.
• The Red Dragons doubled Elmira's shot total, 16-8.
• Elmira put two of its eight shots on frame, while Cortland put eight of its 16 on target.
• The corner count was also heavily in favor of Cortland, 18-2.
• Elmira's netminder, Liese, made six saves in his debut.

 
News and Notes

• Liese's six saves are the most made by a rookie netminder in a start since 2012.
• Elmira falls to 3-12-0 all-time against the Red Dragons.

 
Up Next
Elmira will look to turn things around this Sunday, September 4th, when the Soaring Eagles travel to face the Crusaders of Susquehanna University. The opening kickoff for Sunday's non-conference bout is slated for 5:00 p.m.