ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's soccer team continues its three-game homestand at Campus Field this afternoon, as the Purple and Gold host the Royals of the University of Scranton for a non-conference contest, with the opening kick off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
Elmira dropped a hard-fought Empire 8 Conference contest to the Stevens Institute of Technology by a 2-0 final score on Saturday at Campus Field. Freshman goalie
Jacob Mattice '21 impressed in the contest, as he held the E8-leading Ducks to just two goals despite facing a lot of pressure. The product of Canton, New York, made six saves in the bout, which is a new season high for the rookie. Offensively, the Soaring Eagles recorded six shots, all of which came in the second half. Senior forward
Donte Donegal '18 led the team with three shots, which gives him a team-leading 26 on the season.
CLOSE CALLS
The 2017 campaign for the Elmira men has consistently featured close games. To date, EC has played in five one-goal games and sports a 2-3-0 record in those contests. Last season, the Soaring Eagles were 2-4-3 in bouts decided by one goal or less, which included a streak of six straight one-goal contests to end the season. If the Purple and Gold are able to start turning these close games in their favor, they should position themselves well as the conference playoffs loom.
THREE GOALIES, THREE WINS
Elmira has employed the services of all three of its goalkeepers this season.
Jacob Liese '20 has played the lion's share of minutes (630:00), but both rookies,
Anthony Lipp '21 and
Jacob Mattice '21, have played significant minutes and roles for EC. All three have wins, marking the first time since 2010 that three EC goalies have earned victories in the same year.
SCOUTING THE ROYALS
Scranton enters today's bout with an 8-6-0 overall record and a 2-3-0 mark in the competitive Landmark Conference. After beginning the season 5-0-0, which includes a double-overtime win over No. 13 SUNY Cortland, the Royals have dropped six of their last nine games. During that stretch, Scranton suffered setbacks at the hands of two nationally-ranked teams in No. 6 Lycoming and No. 23 Haverford. The Royals have flourished in road games this season, as they own a 5-2 record away from Fitzpatrick Field in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Senior forward Connor Casey has accounted for most of Scranton's offense this season, as he owns team leads in points (13) and goals (6), the latter of which is tied for fourth in the Landmark. Casey has also been reliable in crunch time for the Royals with four game-winning goals this year, which are tied for 26th in all of Division III. In goal, sophomore Blake Hammert has seen the bulk of the team's minutes (1,004:59) and leads the Royals in saves (37) and wins (5) in 12 appearances.
SERIES HISTORY
The all-time series between these two programs dates back to the 1992 campaign and has features six previous matchups. The Royals own a perfect 6-0-0 record in those bouts, after winning the most recent contest by a 1-0 final score on October 8, 2013, at Campus Field.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Soaring Eagles will return to action on Saturday, October 21, with a home bout against Empire 8 Conference foe St. John Fisher College. The contest is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. at Campus Field and will serve as EC's Class of 2018 Recognition Day.
