Men's Cross Country
Last Week: The Elmira men competed in the Cross Country Only Conference (CCOC) Championships last weekend, hosted by Hobart College in Geneva, New York. As a team, Elmira finished eighth out of 12 teams, EC's best finish at the CCOC Championships during the program's brief history. James Fritsche '18 paced the Purple and Gold with an 8,000-meter time of 30:02.30, the fastest 8K time of the year by any Soaring Eagle, which landed the senior in 21st place out of the field of 105 runners. Other notable finishers were Ben Southern '18 and Jarritt Himmelreich '18, who produced personal-record 8K times of 32:37.20 and 33:22.30, respectively.
 
Next Race: EC will enjoy a two-week break until its next meet on Saturday, October 28, at the Empire 8 Conference Championships, held in Rochester, New York.
 
This Week's Events: n/a
 
Women's Cross Country
Last Week: Elmira ran in the 13th annual Cross Country Only Conference (CCOC) Championships, hosted by William Smith College in Geneva, New York. The Soaring Eagles placed 11th out of 13 teams. Freshman Claire Preisch led the Purple and Gold to the finish line for a seventh consecutive race with a 6,000-meter time of 26:26.30, good for 13th place out of the field of 112 runners. It was the highest all-time finish by an Elmira runner at the CCOC Championships. Other notable finishers were Caroline Connolly '19, who produced her quickest 6K time of the year (34:24.10), and Caitlin Malanowski '20, who ran the third-fastest 6K of  her collegiate career (27:21.50).  
 
Next Race: Similar to the men, the Elmira women will have two weeks to prepare for the Empire 8 Conference Championships on Saturday, October 28, in Rochester, New York.
 
This Week's Events: n/a
 
Field Hockey (2-12, 0-5 E8)
Last Week: The Soaring Eagles posted a 1-1 record that included a 6-3 win over Wells and a four-goal setback in league play to Utica. Seniors Alison Mariano '18 and Katie Carroll '18 led the offensive charge against the Express of Wells, as the duo combined for nine points on four goals and one assist. Mariano paced the Purple and Gold with a career-high five-point outing on two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist. Carroll logged her second multi-goal game of her collegiate career, and first since the 2015 season, as she scored goals in the 38th and 55th minutes. Atu Machika '18 also had a multi-point game, her first of the season, with one goal and one assist. Tina O'Donnell '20 got the start in the cage and made eight saves in a winning effort. Elmira also opened this week with a Monday afternoon tilt versus Bryn Mawr, which resulted in a one-goal loss.
 
Next Game: Following today's contest against Bryn Mawr, the Soaring Eagles return to action on Saturday, October 21, with an Empire 8 showdown against Houghton. Action begins in Houghton, New York, at 12:00 p.m.  
 
This Week's Games:
Monday, October 16 vs. Bryn Mawr (Box Score)
Saturday, October 21 at Houghton* (12:00 p.m.)
 
Women's Golf
Last Week: Elmira capped the fall portion of its 2017-18 schedule at the Empire 8 Conference Championships, held at the Ballston Spa Country Club in Ballston Spa, New York. The Soaring Eagles claimed a sixth-place finish at the 12-team event. Pacing the Purple and Gold was senior standout Audrey Clarke '18, who carded a two-day score of 179 (+35) to finish in sixth place out of the field of 62 golfers. Clarke was awarded Empire 8 All-Conference Second-Team honors for her efforts, as she became the first EC golfer in program history to claim E8 All-Conference honors in four consecutive seasons. Fellow senior Meghan Fonfara '18 improved her score by seven strokes on day two, which helped the dual-sport athlete produce an 11th-place finish with a two-day card of 185 (+41).
 
Next Event: n/a
 
Men's Soccer (3-9-1, 2-3-0 E8)
Last Week: The Elmira men came up just short in their most anticipated matchup of the year thus far, as the Soaring Eagles dropped a 2-0 conference match at Campus Field to perennial conference power, Stevens Institute of Technology. The Ducks held EC without a shot attempt in the first 45 minutes, which allowed the visitors to take a 1-0 lead at the halftime break. However, Elmira settled into the second half by controlling most of the possession and dictating the pace of play, which helped EC produce a handful of quality scoring chances. Unfortunately, Stevens was able to weather the storm and added a late goal in the 90th minute to secure an all-important 2-0 conference win. Rookie netminder Jacob Mattice '21 made six saves in his second career start, which was also his first start on EC's home pitch at Campus Field.  
 
Next Game: EC is back in action this Tuesday, October 17, when the Purple and Gold host the Royals of the University of Scranton.  Action at Campus Field begins at 3:00 p.m.
 
This Week's Games:
Tuesday, October 17 vs. Scranton (3:00 p.m.)
Saturday, October 21 vs. St. John Fisher* (3:00 p.m.) – Class of 2018 Recognition Day
 
Women's Soccer (1-10-1, 0-3-1 E8)
Last Week: Elmira suffered back-to-back home losses last week to Marywood, 4-1, and Utica, 3-0. EC senior Sara Kazerouni '18 scored the team's lone goal of the week in the setback to the Pacers. The goal was her second of the season, as she collected a rebound by Jordyn Rousselle '18 and buried the shot into the open net. Rousselle was credited with an assist on the goal, increasing her team lead in points to 13 (5g, 3a). Her three assists are already more than her previous three-year total combined. Defensively, Rachel Grampp '18 got the start in net in both games for the Purple and Gold. She amassed 18 saves in the two contests, including an 11-save output in the game against Marywood.
 
Next Game: Elmira will look to stay in the hunt for an E8 postseason bid this Wednesday, October 18, when the Soaring Eagles travel to face Houghton College in a 7:00 p.m. bout.
 
This Week's Games:
Wednesday, October 18 at Houghton* (7:00 p.m.)
Saturday, October 21 vs. Sage* (12:00 p.m.) – Class of 2018 Recognition Day
 
Women's Tennis (2-10, 1-7 E8)
Last Week: Elmira concluded the fall portion of its 2017-18 schedule with a league match against the regular season and eventual Empire 8 Conference Tournament champion, Nazareth College Golden Flyers. Despite an 8-1 loss to the Golden Flyers, Megan Fitzgerald '18 had a strong performance with a three-set victory over the reigning E8 Player of the Week, Allison Friends. After dropping the opening set, 3-6, Fitzgerald rallied in the second for a 6-3 win and completed the comeback with a tight 10-7 victory in the super tiebreaker.
 
Next Match: The Elmira women will return to the courts on March 24-25, 2018, when the Soaring Eagles host the EC Spring Invitational at the Murray Athletic Center. Details on the event will be released later in the year.
 
This Week's Matches: n/a
 
Women's Volleyball (15-10, 0-3 E8)
Last Week: It was another solid week for the Elmira women, who posted a 3-1 record in non-conference action. EC picked up wins over Penn College, SUNY Canton and the University of Maine-Fort Kent. Natalie Schieder '19 once again paced the Purple and Gold with 62 kills (4.13 per set) and 49 digs (3.27 per set). She produced three double-doubles, including a monster 27-kill, 15-dig performance in EC's five-set comeback win over SUNY Canton. The 27 kills were a season high for the senior outside hitter. Taylor Kaznowski '19 was just as impressive over the four matches with 140 assists (9.33 per set), 12 kills (0.80 per set), seven aces (0.47 per set) and 44 digs (2.93 per set). She finished the week with a trio of double-doubles, as well as a pair of 40-plus assist performances, which helped her garner Empire 8 Player of the Week accolades. Defensively, Rachel Katzenberger '19 had a strong week with a team-high 70 digs (4.67 per set). She finished with double-digit digs in all four matches, including a career-high 25 digs in EC's 3-2 win against SUNY Canton.
 
Next Match: Elmira returns to the court this Thursday, October 19, when the Soaring Eagles take on Misericordia in non-conference action at Speidel Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. EC will also honor its graduating members of the Class of 2018 at Thursday night's match.
 
This Week's Matches:
Thursday, October 19 vs. Misericordia (7:00 p.m.) – Class of 2018 Recognition Day
Saturday, October 21 at Sage* (11:00 a.m.)^
Saturday, October 21 vs. Houghton* (1:30 p.m.)^
 
^Empire 8 Crossover at Sage