Records: Elmira College (1-2-0) – Hilbert College (0-4-0)
Score: Elmira 2, Hilbert 1
Location: Varsity Field – Hamburg, N.Y.
 
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- A goal in the first five minutes of today's game looked like it would be enough to give the Elmira College men's soccer team its first win of the year, but an equalizing goal by Hilbert College midway through the second half made things interesting for the Soaring Eagles in this Saturday afternoon contest. Thankfully, Elmira's Michael Bryant '18 would come through in the clutch and score the game-winning goal in the 75th minute to secure the Purple and Gold's first victory of the season.
 
Second-year talisman Misi Glover '19 opened the day's scoring just 4:56 into the first half, when he converted on a penalty kick opportunity. Glover's goal was the first of his collegiate career and the first tallied by an Elmira player this season.
 
Elmira nearly added to its lead in the 24th minute, as a header by Rodney Smith '19 looked destined for the back of the net. However, Smith's attempt caromed off the post, much to the delight of the Hilbert defense, as the EC hung onto its 1-0 lead.
 
Hilbert leveled the match in the 61st minute on a goal by Garrett Rehner and almost took the lead five minutes later, when an attempt by Daniel Pulaski beat EC's starting goalkeeper, Haruka Okamoto '18, and ricocheted off the post.
 
The close calls continued in the 74th minute, as a shot by Bryant banged off the post. However, Bryant's near-goal was a sign of things to come, as the Portola Hills, California, native knocked-in the eventual game-winner in the 75th minute. Bryant's game-winning goal was assisted by Andrew Spitznogle '19, his first collegiate helper.
 
Bryant had a prime opportunity to give the Soaring Eagles a two-goal lead in the 82nd minute, when the Purple and Gold were awarded a penalty kick. However, Bryant's attempt was stopped by the Hilbert netminder, Ryan Valentine, to keep it a one-goal game.
 
Hilbert had one final opportunity late in the game in the 89th minute, but the attempt by Tyler Eister sailed wide right, as Elmira marched away with a one-goal win, 2-1.
 
In His Own Words…
Head Coach Keith Moore reflects on EC earning its first win of the year…
"We are relieved to get our first win tonight for sure and are excited to be back on Campus Field for the two games."
 
Coach Moore talks about how his team was able to create a season-high 21 shots…
"We spent a lot of time on attacking play and we saw some better results today, but we can do better. I would have liked to keep it a bit tighter on the defensive side as well."
 
Coach Moore touched briefly on the play of Glover and Bryant…
"I'm not shocked that Misi opened our goal account this season. He has been in great form and playing strong both in the attack and at defense. Michael only played the second half, but it was great seeing his name in the box score once again. We'll look for them to continue firing as we gear up for RIT and Utica next week."
 
Turning Point
With the game knotted at 1-1, Elmira desperately searched for the match-deciding score. From the time Hilbert equalized in the 61st minute, Elmira outshot the Hawks 6-to-1, with three of those attempts making its way on frame. EC's pressure in the attacking third finally paid off in the 75th minute, when Bryant poked-in the game-winner to hand the Soaring Eagles their first win of the 2016 season.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Elmira held the advantage in shots, 21-14, including a 7-4 lead in shots on goal.
• Hilbert created several chances, including eight from corners, while EC had three corner opportunities.
• Glover scored the game-opening goal in the fifth minute on a penalty kick.
• Bryant knocked-in the game-winner in the 75th minute.
• Spitznogle assisted on Bryant's game-winning goal.
• Okamoto made his first collegiate start and totaled three saves in a winning effort.

 
News and Notes

• Elmira picked up its first win of the 2016 season.
• EC's 21 shots are the most the team has taken since October 14, 2015.
• Today's win snaps a three-game goalless streak, one that dates back to the 2015 season.
• EC's first goal of the season was scored on a penalty kick for the first time in over 15 years.
• Bryant tallied for the first time since October 24, 2015.
• Bryant moved into a two-way tie for eighth place in EC history for career goals (24).
• Glover scored the first goal of his collegiate career.
• Okamoto picked up his first career win.

 
Up Next
Elmira will look to continue their rise in form this Wednesday, September 14th, when the Soaring Eagles welcome RIT to Campus Field for a 4:00 p.m. non-league showdown.