ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's soccer team will look to end its two-game homestand with another victory on Saturday, September 23, when the Soaring Eagles open Empire 8 Conference play against Alfred University. Kick-off for the E8 matchup at Campus Field is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
The EC women's soccer team picked up its first victory of the 2017 season in a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over Wells College at Campus Field on Tuesday. Although the visiting Express struck first in the 15th minute to take an early 1-0 lead,
Jordyn Rousselle '18 and
Hailey Boris '21 scored unanswered goals to propel the Soaring Eagles into a 2-1 lead of their own. Rousselle began her outstanding afternoon by stealing the ball from a Wells defender along the right sideline and firing it over the head of Express goalie Quinn Doubet to level te score at 1-1 in the 32nd minute. Boris gave the Purple and Gold a 2-1 advantage in the 64th minute by tapping a 30-yard free kick from
Celina Spitznogle '19 inside the right post. That lead lasted until the 88th minute, when the resilient Express tallied the tying goal to force overtime. However, EC needed only 1:33 in the extra period to record the game-winner.
Sara Kazerouni '18 found Rousselle with a cross into the box from the right wing and Rousselle was in perfect position to tuck the ball inside the near post.
FRESHMAN MILESTONES
Tuesday's overtime victory over Wells was a milestone game for Elmira freshman Boris. The Prospect, Connecticut, native not only made the first start of her collegiate career against the Express, but her goal in the second half marked another career first. Boris is one of two rookies on this year's squad to score a goal, the other being first-year forward
Taylor Hanson '21, who tallied a goal in the season-opener against Ramapo College.
TWICE AS NICE
Rousselle was a key cog in Elmira's overtime win against Wells, as she led all players with a game-high two goals, including the game-winner in the extra session. The Stillwater, New York, native, who has been one of the team's top scorers since her sophomore campaign, registered multiple goals in a single game for just the second time in her EC career. She also did so as part of a two-goal, one-assist performance in a 3-1 Empire 8 Conference win over Utica College on September 26, 2015, which was also played on Campus Field.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Elmira and Alfred have squared off 23 times since their initial meeting during the 1985 season. The Soaring Eagles hold a decisive edge in the all-time series at 16-5-2. However, the Saxons won the most recent matchup, a 3-2 victory over EC in 2016.
SCOUTING ALFRED
The Saxons enter today's match with a 2-4-1 overall record and will be looking to add to their unblemished road record, which stands at 2-0-0. Alfred's two road victories were registered against Hilbert and Keuka, while the team's lone tie of the season came in a 1-1 double-overtime draw against D'Youville. Junior Emily Wright paces the Alfred offense with four points on two goals, both of which came in AU's wins. Lexi Riffelbach is not far off of Wright's pace, as the second-year forward has three points on one goal and one assist thus far into the season. Defensively, Sammy Jo Shanahan has started and played in each and every minute in goal for the Saxons. She owns the league's third-highest save total (40) and the E8's fourth-best goals-against average (1.66).
LOOKING AHEAD
The Soaring Eagles continue play inside the Empire 8 Conference next Wednesday, September 27, as EC travels to Oneonta, New York, to face the Hawks of Hartwick College. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Elmira does not return to Campus Field until Wednesday, October 11, when it hosts Marywood in non-league action at 3:30 p.m.
