ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's soccer team will be in search of its first win of the season this Saturday, September 16, when the Soaring Eagles travel to North Country for a non-conference tilt versus the Bears of SUNY Potsdam. Saturday's contest is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Potsdam's Maxcy Turf Field.
LOOKING FOR OFFENSE
Elmira suffered back-to-back shutout losses in its last two games against some stiff competition in Liberty League affiliates Bard and Vassar. Much of EC's scoring drought can be attributed to the limited shot attempts, as the Purple and Gold were held to just three shots in those two losses, compared to the 17 Elmira took in its first two contests of the year. Although Elmira's attempts are down, the Soaring Eagles have been precise with their shots, placing 13-of-20 attempts on goal.
SCOUTING THE BEARS
SUNY Potsdam is off to a strong start to the 2017 season with a 4-1-1 overall record and will enter the weekend riding a three-game unbeaten streak (2-0-1). Three of Potsdam's contests have gone into double-overtime, two of which have resulted in victories for the Bears (D'Youville and Montclair State). Although the Bears have four wins to their name, they are still searching for their first home victory of the season, after dropping a one-goal decision to St. Lawrence (Sep. 5) and playing Clarkson (Sep. 12) to a 2-2 draw. Brockport, New York, native Brooke Falsion has been nearly unstoppable in her junior season with 13 points on six goals and one assist. Not far behind is Rylie Murray, who has 11 points on four goals and a team-high three assists. The Potsdam duo rank 1-2 in the ultra-competitive SUNYAC in points, while Falsion's six tallies pace the league. Defensively, three players have gotten into the mix at the goalkeeper position, however Delphine Léonard and Gabby Hobika seem to be the front-runners for the starting gig. Léonard has seen the lion's share of minutes (425:42) and sports a 1.69 goals-against average, as well as a 2-1-1 record. Hobika touts an unblemished 2-0-0 record with five saves and a 0.54 goals-against average in her freshman season.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Saturday's contest will be the seventh all-time meeting between the two teams, as Elmira enters the weekend with a 5-1-0 lead in the all-time series. The Soaring Eagles opened the series with five consecutive wins, but the Bears boast the most recent win, a 5-1 victory on Campus Field during the 2016 campaign. EC's most recent road victory over Potsdam dates back to the 2014 season, when the Purple and Gold blanked the Bears, 2-0.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following Elmira's three-game road trip, which concludes Saturday against Potsdam, the Soaring Eagles return to the friendly confines of Campus Field for back-to-back home contests. Elmira hosts the Express of Wells College on Wednesday, September 19, at 4:00 p.m., before opening Empire 8 Conference play four days later on Saturday, September 23, against the Saxons of Alfred University at 1:00 p.m.
