Score: Elmira College 0 – RIT 0 (2OT)
Records: Elmira (1-2-1), RIT (2-2-1)
Location: Campus Field – Elmira, N.Y.
 
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Elmira College men's soccer welcomed RIT to Campus Field for the Soaring Eagles' 2016 home opener this afternoon. On a cold and cloudy day in the Southern Tier, the Elmira men battled the Tigers to a 0-0 double-overtime tie, bringing EC's record to 1-2-1 on the young season.  
 
Although neither team was able to bulge the net, both squads had several scoring chances.
 
Tony Barraco '18 nearly put Elmira ahead in the eighth minute on a well-struck ball that narrowly tucked into the right corner of the net, but instead caromed off the post and trickled out wide. Elmira would have four additional chances in the first half, putting two on frame, but RIT's Peter Cinibulk came up with stops on both attempts.
 
EC continued to apply pressure in the second half, as the Soaring Eagles were awarded four corner kicks in the opening 10 minutes of the second stanza. However, RIT successfully defended all four of Elmira's chances to keep the game knotted at 0-0.
 
The remainder of the second half was filled with good back-and-forth action, but the Tigers had two prime opportunities to take control of today's game. In the 71st minute, Tyler Hatch struck a ball from just about 20 yards out, an attempt that rang loudly off the crossbar and bounced back into the field of play.
 
Then in the 76th minute, Elmira's Jacob Liese '20 was whistled for a foul in the box, which awarded RIT a penalty kick. On the play, Liese collided hard with the RIT player and one of his own defenders, which looked like enough to knock the freshman keeper out of the game. However, Liese's toughness shined brightly as he stood up to the goal line to defend the RIT penalty kick.
 
On the ensuing play, RIT's Gene Sicoli placed the ball in the right corner but an outstretched Liese denied Sicoli's attempt to keep today's contest even at 0-0. Liese would eventually make his way off the field for Haruka Okamoto '18 who closed out today's contest.
 
Liese's save on the penalty kick proved to be a key moment in the second half, as today's game went into overtime. RIT outshot Elmira 5-to-1 in the first overtime period, but Okamoto came up with two saves to keep the Tigers off the scoreboard. Elmira outshot RIT 3-to-2 in the second overtime, but neither team was able to score, as the game ended in a 0-0 double-overtime draw.
 
In His Own Words…
Head Coach Keith Moore shares his thoughts on today's game…
"We couldn't ask the boys to give any more than they did today. They left it all out on the field this afternoon, 100-percent. I'm delighted with the work rate, the effort, and the commitment to the match today."
 
Coach Moore talks about the importance of getting a result in today's home opener…
"We've been on the road quite a bit since pre-season and it was nice to be back on Campus Field and get a result in our home opener. With the adversity we faced today, we have the same characteristics from last year – we're a hard group to break down."
 
Coach More shares his thoughts on the play of EC's back line…
"After each match we award the player who worked the hardest and put in a challenging shift with our Fireman's Hardhat. Today, I wish we had five hardhats to give out because our entire backline deserved it. They held the other team scoreless and protected our goal for a full 110 minutes."
 
Coach Moore talked about Liese's play between the posts this afternoon…
"Jacob has made the transition to the physical and faster college game seamlessly. He showed today that he doesn't play like a freshman, especially with that great save on the penalty kick."

Turning Point
In the 76th minute, RIT was awarded a penalty kick on a foul by Liese in the box. After a lengthy debate between the officials, Liese was not given a red card, but still had to face an RIT penalty kick. With the win on RIT's boot, Liese read the direction of the ball and made a leaping save to keep this afternoon's contest level at 0-0. 
 
Inside the Box Score

• RIT outshot Elmira 16-to-13.
• EC was more efficient with its attempts, putting six on target compared to RIT's five.
• The corner kick count was in favor of the Tigers, 9-6.
• Bryant led all players with seven shots, three making their way on goal.
• Liese started in net for Elmira and mad three saves in 79:52 of action.
• One of Liese's three stops came on a penalty kick late in the second half.
• Okamoto came in for relief duty and made two saves in 30:08.

 
News and Notes

• Today's draw snapped RIT's three-game win streak against Elmira.
• Elmira is unbeaten in its last eight home games (5-0-3).
• Elmira is 3-11-3 all-time against the Tigers.
• EC registered its first shutout of the season.
• Elmira's 13-shot total is the second highest of the year.

 
Up Next
Elmira opens Empire 8 play this Saturday, September 17th, when the Soaring Eagles welcome Utica College for a 12:00 p.m. showdown at Campus Field.