Score: Stevens Institute of Technology 2, Elmira College 0
Records: Stevens (8-4-2, 4-0-1 E8), Elmira (3-9-1, 2-3-0 E8)
Location: Campus Field – Elmira, N.Y.
 
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- After being held without a shot in the opening 45 minutes of regulation, the Elmira College men's soccer team put forth a strong second-half performance that nearly yielded a conference point, but instead the Soaring Eagles would fall to Empire 8 Conference leader Stevens Institute of Technology, 2-0.
 
The Ducks held a 17-to-6 advantage in shots, including an 8-2 lead in shots on goal. Corner kick opportunities were also heavily in favor of the visitors, who enjoyed a 13-to-2 lead in that category.
 
Stevens was relentless in the first half, sending men forward and pressing the Purple and Gold's every touch. That pressure paid off for the Ducks, who went on to outshoot the Soaring Eagles, 9-0, and carry a 7-1 lead in corner kick chances in the opening half. Elmira's defense did a fine job weathering the attack for most of the first half, especially rookie netminder Jacob Mattice '21, who turned away four shots in the opening 45 minutes.
 
However, despite a solid defensive performance in the first half, the Ducks were able to breakthrough for the game-opening goal on one of their seven corner-kick chances in the 32nd minute. The feed into the box from the corner was initially defended by junior Rodney Smith '19, who headed the ball out of the middle of the box and to the weak side. However, Mattice came off of his line to defend the cross, and as a result was late getting back into position. With the goal vacant of a keeper, Stevens' Jacob Curtis utilized his 6-foot-3-inch frame to rise over the pack of EC defenders on the weak side and snap a header into the goal for the score.
 
In the second half, Stevens looked to add to its one-goal lead, but that plan proved to be more difficult than anticipated. The Ducks took a shot in the 50th minute, one that was blocked by an EC defender. From that point on, the Soaring Eagles controlled the pace and dictated play for much of the second stanza.
 
Elmira went on to take the next six shots, two of which were placed on goal, while holding Stevens without a shot attempt for over 28 consecutive minutes. EC's solid play in the second half could be attributed to the team's quick play on the ball and dangerous services into the box from wide areas.
 
It looked as though Elmira had all the momentum heading into the final portion of the contest, but Stevens locked in defensively and held the Soaring Eagles without a shot attempt for the final 20 minutes. A rise in the level of play defensively, paired with seven shots of their own, paved the way for a goal by the Ducks in 90th minute, as Andrew Masur found the bottom left corner from 18 yards out on a pass from Haddy Abdelhady. The goal from Masur all but sealed a 2-0 win for the Ducks.
 
EC's Mattice, who made his second career start and first at Campus Field, finished with six saves in 90 minutes of action. His counterpart from Stevens, Aaron Henry, made two saves en route to his eighth win of the year.
 
News and Notes

• Following today's setback, Elmira falls to fifth in the E8 standings, while Stevens sits atop the league leaderboard.
• Elmira held Stevens to its lowest shot total (17) over its last three games.
• Mattice made his second career start in goal and his first at Campus Field.
• Mattice's six saves are a new season high.

 
Up Next
The Purple and Gold resume non-conference play on Tuesday, October 17, when Elmira welcomes the Royals of the University of Scranton to Campus Field. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.