Score: Elmira College 2, Marywood University 0
Records: Elmira (3-4-1), Marywood (2-6-0)
Location: Elmira, N.Y. -- Campus Field

ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Another multi-goal outing from third-year forward Michael Bryant '18 allowed the Elmira College men's soccer team to extend its home unbeaten streak to 10 consecutive games, as the Soaring Eagles downed Marywood University, 2-0, on Tuesday.

Returning to the friendly confines of Campus Field was just what the doctor ordered for the Soaring Eagles, who entered the non-conference matchup coming off of two straight road losses. With the victory, EC is now 7-0-3 in its last 10 contests on its home pitch, and has outscored opponents, 25-9, in that span.

Bryant, along with second-year midfielder Aidan Gray '19, fueled the offense for the Purple and Gold in the first half. Gray picked up assists on both tallies in the 12th and 35th minutes.

Defenseman Rodney Smith '19 began the possession that resulted in EC's first score with a steal near the midfield stripe. He then sent a quick touch downfield to Gray, who laced a through-ball between several defenders to Bryant inside the 18-yard box. The always-lethal striker collected the ball, spun to his left, and ripped a shot into the upper corner with his left foot.

Elmira's second scoring chance was created following a corner entry by Kyle Beekman '19. After inserting the ball to Gray, it was returned to Beekman in the corner, and the Scranton, Pennsylvania, native played the ball into the box. A Marywood defender attempted to clear the ball out of the attacking third, but it instead found Gray just outside of the 18. Gray flipped the ball to Bryant on the far post, and Elmira's leading scorer collected his fifth goal of the year with a header past Pacers keeper Tommy McGlennon.

Although held scoreless, Marywood was presented a couple of chances to get on the board in the second half. In the 76th minute, Elmira goalie Haruka Okamoto '18 received some help, as a free kick from Ian Byrnes cleared the traffic inside the box, but deflected over the net after striking the crossbar. A similar free-kick opportunity was awarded to Byrnes in the 79th minute. His second shot attempt bent around the wall of EC defenders but right into the awaiting arms of Okamoto for one of his eight saves on the afternoon.

With the victory, Okamoto earned the first clean sheet of his career, while improving to 3-2-0 on the year.

In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Keith Moore on EC's victory over Marywood…
"Today we knew that we had to snap our two-game skid and the team did just that. We played well enough today, but we can and need to do even better moving forward."

Moore on Gray's ability to find Bryant for a pair of goals against the Pacers…
"Michael and Aidan have a great relationship on the field. It's great to see that starting to produce again in the box score."

Moore reflecting on his team's 10-game unbeaten streak at Campus Field…
"Campus Field has always been generous to us. This season, we're on the road quite a bit, so we're grateful for opportunities to come home and play in our own park. The boys are pretty proud of that home streak and will look to extend it next week."

Turing Point
The Soaring Eagles were whistled for a pair of fouls in the second half, which set-up Marywood's Byrnes with free kicks and quality looks at the goal. He lofted his first attempt high and the ball flew over the net after hitting the crossbar. Had that shot been a few inches lower, it would have had a chance to fall over the outstretched arms of Okamoto. If the Pacers had managed to cut the deficit to a single tally in the 76th minute, it would have made things a lot more interesting down the stretch.

Inside the Box Score

• Marywood held a 16-to-14 advantage in shots.
• Elmira placed nine shots on goal, while Marywood had eight.
• The corner kick count was in favor of Elmira, 6-1.
• Both Elmira goals were scored by Bryant in the first half.
• Gray was credited with assists on both EC goals.
• Okamoto made eight saves and allowed zero goals in today's win.

News and Notes

• Elmira extended its home unbeaten streak to 10 games.
• The Soaring Eagles are 2-0-1 at home this season.
• EC recorded its first shutout win since last year's regular-season finale against St. John Fisher.
• Bryant moved into sole possession of sixth place in EC history for career goals (28).
• Bryant also moved into seventh place in program history for career points (63).
• Bryant scored his team- and conference-leading fifth goal of the season.
• Bryant registered his second multi-goal game of the year.
• Today marked Bryant's seventh multi-goal game of his collegiate career.
• Gray registered his first points and assists of the 2016 season.
• Okamoto recorded the first clean-sheet win of his collegiate career.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles return to action this Saturday, October 1st, for an E8 showdown with conference powerhouse, Stevens Institute of Technology. Saturday's contest is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. in Hoboken, New Jersey.