Score: Houghton College 3, Elmira College 0
Records: Houghton (5-2-2, 2-0-0), Elmira (2-4-1, 1-1-0)
Location: Houghton, N.Y. -- Burke Field

HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's soccer team was blanked by Empire 8 Conference foe, Houghton College, as the Highlanders prevailed with a 3-0 victory on their home pitch at Burke Field Saturday afternoon.

The Houghton offense came out firing and tested Elmira netminder Haruka Okamoto '18 from the get-go. Okamoto was forced to make the first of his six first-half saves just 1:16 into the opening half. He was then needed to make two more in a span of six seconds in the sixth minute.

Oakamto and the EC defense were able to keep the Highlanders off of the scoreboard for nearly the entire first half. Houghton, however, would not be denied in the 44th minute, as Ben Dicrasto and Jordan Mullen hooked up on a goal that put the home team up 1-0 at the half.

Third-year forward Michael Bryant '18 took seven of Elmira's eight shots on the afternoon. His best scoring opportunity came in the form of a penalty kick in the 53rd minute, but Houghton keeper Jacob Dunnett was able to save the shot and preserve the one-goal advantage.

Houghton tallied twice more in the second half in 68th and 80th minutes to seal the victory and improve to 2-0 inside E8 play.

Turning Point
Houghton controlled the pace of play and possession of the ball throughout the majority of the Empire 8 Conference tilt with Elmira, but the Soaring Eagles had a prime opportunity in the second half knot the game at 1-all. Known for his scoring prowess after one of the best seasons in EC history in 2015, Bryant was taken down inside the box and awarded a penalty kick in the 53rd minute. Alas, his shot was saved by Dunnett, allowing the Highlanders to keep their one-goal lead and the momentum.

Inside the Box

• Elmira was outshot by Houghton, 20-to-8.
• The Highlanders narrowly edged EC in corner kicks, 8-to-7.
• The Soaring Eagles finished twice as many saves, 10-to-5.
• Bryant took seven of Elmira's eight shots; Donte Donegal '18 registered one shot attempt as well.
• Okamoto made 10 saves while playing all 90 minutes between the pipes for EC.
• Houghton received two goals Ben Lawrence and one from Dicrasto.
• Dunnett picked up the clean sheet with four saves.

News and Notes

• Elmira's conference record is now even at 1-1.
• Okamoto nearly doubled his season save total with a career-high 10 stops. He now has 22 in 383:13 in his junior campaign.
• Bryant leads the Empire 8 in shots with 36 and shots per game with 5.14 through EC's first seven games.

Up Next
The Elmira men return to their home pitch for a non-conference bout against Marywood University on Tuesday, September 27th. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. from EC's Campus Field.