Score: Elmira College 1, Utica College 0
Records: Elmira (3-8-1, 2-2-0 E8), Utica (6-8-0, 0-4-0 E8)
Location: Charles A. Gaetano Stadium – Utica, N.Y.
 
UTICA, N.Y. -- A goal by Donte Donegal '18 in the 53rd minute of regulation proved to be the difference this afternoon, as the Elmira College men's soccer team edged Utica College, 1-0, in a critical Empire 8 Conference match. With the win, Elmira improved to 2-2-0 within the Empire 8 and moved into a three-way tie the fourth spot in the league standings with The Sage Colleges and St. John Fisher College.
 
Only 14 shots were taken between the two teams, with Elmira holding a slight 8-6 edge, although both teams placed three shots apiece on goal. Utica had the edge in corner kick chances, 4-2, while four yellow cards were doled out evenly between the two sides.
 
Following a scoreless first half that saw EC outshoot Utica, 5-2, the Soaring Eagles were able to breakthrough for a score on their seventh shot of the afternoon. After a shot by John Broyles '19 that missed wide, the Purple and Gold were able to keep the ball in Utica's defensive third and create the lone scoring chance of the game.
 
In the 53rd minute, a cross from Andrew Spitznogle '19 found senior Yaniv Kogan '18 in the box, where he laid off a well-timed pass to Donegal. From there, Donegal did what he had done to the Pioneers twice in last season's matchup, and buried the shot for go-ahead goal.
 
From there on out, Utica generated four shots, but none of them would truly threaten the Soaring Eagle defense. Two of the Pioneers' attempts missed their target, while the other two were stopped by freshman goalkeeper, Jacob Mattice '21, who finished with three saves in his first collegiate start this evening. Mattice's last save of the game came in the 87th minute, which sealed a 1-0 shutout victory for the Soaring Eagles and kept the Elmira men in a top-four Empire 8 playoff spot.
 
In His Own Words…
Head Coach Kevin Brenner shares his thoughts on Elmira's all-important E8 win…
"Today was a much-needed well-deserved win! Our game plan was executed perfectly, full credit to the players. I thought we completely dominated large portions of the game and moved the ball extremely well within our shape. It was nice to have a fully healthy team for the first time this year. We will reset the mind, body and start preparing for another solid game plan against Stevens Institute Technology next Saturday on Campus Field."
 
News and Notes

• Elmira improved to 2-2-0 within Empire 8 Conference play.
• The win placed Elmira in a three-way tie for fourth place in the league standings with Sage and St. John Fisher.
• EC outshot its opponent for just the second time this season.
• The Soaring Eagles improved to 3-0-1 this year when scoring at least one goal.
• Two of Elmira's wins this season have come in the form of shutouts.
• Mattice made his first collegiate start between the posts and earned his first career win.
• All three goalies have earned a win this season for EC.
• Donegal leads Elmira with five points on the year (2g-1a).
• Both of Donegal's goals this season have gone down as game-winners.
• Donegal has scored three goals in Elmira's last two games against Utica, two of which were game-winning goals.
• Kogan picked up his first career assist and point this evening.  

 
Up Next
Elmira will have a week to relish this evening's win, as the Soaring Eagles will enjoy a seven-day rest until they take on the Ducks of Stevens Institute of Technology on Saturday, October 14. The opening kickoff for the Empire 8 Conference contest is slated for 3:00 p.m. on EC's Campus Field.