Score: Houghton College 1, Elmira College 0
Records: Houghton (4-3-0, 1-0-0 E8), Elmira (1-5-1, 0-1-0 E8)
Location: Campus Field – Elmira N.Y.
 
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Despite a seven-save effort from Jacob Liese '20, the Elmira College men's soccer team was unable to push through for a victory, as the Soaring Eagles dropped their Empire 8 Conference opener to visiting Houghton College by a 1-0 final score.
 
Houghton finished with an 18-8 lead in shots, including an 8-1 advantage in shots on goal. The visitors also produced three corner kick chances, while Elmira had one.
 
The Elmira defense frustrated the Highlanders for much of the first half by clearing the ball and sending long passes from its defensive third. Although Houghton held a 7-2 lead in shots in the opening 45 minutes, the Highlanders were held scoreless in the opening half, as Liese logged three of his seven saves.
 
Houghton broke through in the 61st minute thanks to a strong run by Nic Loew down the right sideline. Loew crossed the ball in the 18-yard box to Elijah Steffen, who hit it with his instep over to Ben Lawrence. From there, Lawrence flicked a header that caromed off the left post and into the goal for the go-ahead score.
 
The Highlanders maintained their pressure for much of the remaining 30 minutes of regulation and produced a handful of quality scoring chances, including a pair inside 10 yards. However, Liese was able to make a flurry of saves from point-blank-range to keep it a one-goal game.
 
Elmira finished the contest by taking six second-half shots, but only one of those attempts made its way on goal, which Houghton's starting goalkeeper, Jordan Crouch, would turn away to hand the Highlanders their first Empire 8 win of the 2017 campaign.
 
News and Notes

• Jameson Asmus '20 got his first start of the 2017 season.
• Tony Barraco '18 made his first start and appearance for EC since the season opener.
• Liese started his third game of the season and made seven saves, bringing his season total to 22.

 
Up Next
The Soaring Eagles are back in action on Monday, September 18, as they host the Golden Eagles of Brockport. Monday's non-conference tilt is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. at Elmira's Campus Field.