ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's soccer team opened Empire 8 Conference action with a tie last weekend and will look to remain unbeaten in league play this Wednesday, September 27, as the Soaring Eagles travel to Oneonta, New York, to face the Hawks of Hartwick College. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. under the lights at Hartwick's Elmore Field.
GENERATING OFFENSE
After being held scoreless over a three-game stretch, the Soaring Eagle offense seems to have found its rhythm with four goals over their last two games. Fueling Elmira's recent hot streak has been senior
Jordyn Rousselle '18, who accounts for three of EC's four tallies. She struck twice in Elmira's overtime win against Wells, her second multi-goal game of her career, and produced the lone goal in the 1-1 double-overtime tie against Alfred. The Soaring Eagles have totaled seven goals on the season thus far, and Rousselle has had a hand in all but one, as she heads into Wednesday's conference match with a team-high 10 points on four goals and two assists. She is tied for first place in the Empire 8 in goals (4), second in points (10), and tied for second in both goals (.571) and points per game (1.43).
SCOUTING HARTWICK
Hartwick is off to a strong start to the 2017 campaign, as the Hawks head into Wednesday night's matchup with a 5-3-0 record and a 0-1-0 mark inside the Empire 8 Conference. The Hawks opened the year with three straight wins, but have since gone 2-3-0. Two of Hartwick's three losses have been decided by a single goal, including the team's most recent contest, a 2-1 setback to No. 17 nationally-ranked Stevens. The Hawks are 2-2-0 in their last four games, all of which took place away from their home turf at Elmore Field, a venue Hartwick has defended well this season with a 3-1-0 home record. Rachel Weir has been the team's most consistent source of offense with eight points on four goals, a mark that is tied for the lead in the Empire 8. She has scored goals in four different games, three of which have resulted in Hartwick victories. Although Weir has been the main goal scorer, Sierra Bentley has been just as valuable to the team's offensive attack. The senior is second on the squad in points (7) with one goal and a league-leading five assists. Cassandra Robataile and Celeste Trevellini have split time at the goalkeeper position, as both keepers have four starts in eight games played. They have combined for 28 saves and a 0.85 goal-against average.
SERIES HISTORY
Elmira and Hartwick will meet for the 28th time this Wednesday night. The Hawks hold a 15-8-4 lead in the all-time series and enter this year's matchup riding a five-game unbeaten streak (3-0-2). Elmira's last win dates back to the 2011 season when the Soaring Eagles dispatched the Hawks by a 2-1 final score in Oneonta, New York.
LOOKING AHEAD
Elmira's challenging Empire 8 Conference schedule continues this Saturday, September 30, when the Soaring Eagles flock to Hoboken, New Jersey, to duel the Ducks of Stevens. The conference match is slated for an 11:00 a.m. start at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.
