ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's soccer team faces another tough non-conference test this Wednesday, October 4, as the Soaring Eagles travel to Saratoga Springs, New York, to take on Skidmore College. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. under the lights on Skidmore's Wachenheim Field.
NO GOAL, NO RESULT
Elmira's 2-7-1 overall record can be a bit misleading at first glance. Three of Elmira's losses were decided by just one goal, however, the Soaring Eagles were held scoreless in all seven setbacks. The Purple and Gold are 2-0-1 when they score at least one goal this season, and dating back to the 2015 season, EC is 12-10-6 when finding the back of the net at least once.
SCOUTING SKIDMORE
The Thoroughbreds head into Wednesday's match with a 4-1-3 overall record and a 1-0-2 mark within the Liberty League. Former Elmira skipper and 2005 EC graduate, Jeremiah Kneeland '05, is in the thick of his fifth season with the Thoroughbreds and recently earned his 100th career coaching victory in a 2-1 overtime win against Union. Under Kneeland's tutelage, Skidmore opened the 2017 campaign with a six-match unbeaten streak (4-0-2) with wins over Marywood, Plattsburgh, Union and MCLA. However, the Thoroughbreds will be in search of their first win since September 19, as they head into Wednesday's contest riding a three-game winless streak (0-1-2). Augustine Okoye has carried the load offensively for Skidmore with 12 points on a team-high five goals and two assists. Okoye has been held without a goal over the last four games, after opening the year with five goals in the team's first four contests. Sebastian Bosch has held down the starting goalkeeper spot for the Thoroughbreds this season, as the second-year keeper has started in each of the team's eight games. He has amassed 41 saves with a 0.71 goals-against average and a save percentage of .872.
SERIES HISTORY
Elmira and Skidmore have faced each other four times dating back to the 1991 season. The series is tied at 2-2, but the Soaring Eagles will enter the game with the most recent win, a 3-2 defeat of the Thoroughbreds on Campus Field in 2016.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following the night match against Skidmore, Elmira will shift its focus back to Empire 8 Conference play on Saturday, October 7, when the Soaring Eagles travel to face the Pioneers of Utica College. Saturday's league bout is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. at Utica's Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.
