Score: Elmira College 2, Susquehanna University 1
Records: Elmira (1-1-0), Susquehanna (1-1-0)
Location: Campus Field – Elmira, N.Y.
 
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- An early deficit did little to deter the efforts of the Elmira College men's soccer team, as the Soaring Eagles rallied and produced two unanswered goals to secure their first win of the season, 2-1, over visiting Susquehanna University. EC upperclassmen Rodney Smith '19 and Donte Donegal '18 logged one goal apiece, the latter of which scored the game-winning goal, while rookie Cameron Sanderson '20 was credited with one assist.
 
Susquehanna dictated play for most of the contest, but Elmira's defense proved to be a tough shell to crack, limiting the River Hawks to just one goal on 13 shots. Elmira produced five attempts of its own, three of which made their way on frame. Corner kick chances finished in favor of the Soaring Eagles, 3-1, all of which came in the opening 45 minutes of play.
 
Freshman goalie Anthony Lipp '21 turned away five shots, a new season-high for the Mastic, New York, native, who made four saves in his debut against Medaille two days ago. Lipp's counterpart from Susquehanna, Matt Ellingworth, made one save and allowed a pair of goals.
 
It only took 15:10 for the game's first goal to be scored, one that came from the foot of Susquehanna's Elias George. A hard challenge in EC's defensive third allowed Max Maidenberg to steal the ball and send a long over-the-top pass to Thomas Burke, who raced past Elmira's back line. Burke took two touches, which drew in an EC defender from the weak side and Lipp off of his line, setting him up to send a pass over to an unmarked George for the easy finish.
 
Elmira answered about three minutes later, as the Purple and Gold made the most of one of their three corner kick chances. Sanderson took the corner and sent a high lofted cross to the back post, where Smith was unmarked. Smith leaped to the air and snapped a header into the lower right corner, beating an outstretched Ellingworth for the game-tying score.
 
Neither team was able to produce many quality scoring chances in the remainder of the first half, as Lipp came up with two saves and Elmira's two attempts missed high and wide, sending the teams into halftime knotted at 1-1.
 
Susquehanna came out of the second half with hopes of reclaiming the lead, and a 6-1 advantage in shots would suggest they visitors should have done so. However, Elmira's back line of Smith, Colin Morrison '19, Kurt Bartholomew '18 and Luke Kretschmer '21 did enough to disrupt the River Hawk strikers, limiting them to just two shots on goal in the final 45 minutes.
 
Although Elmira was held to just one attempt in the second half, it proved to be the only shot the Soaring Eagles would need. The scoring play was a beautiful example of what is turning into a lethal counter attack by the Elmira men, as Smith began the counter with a headed clear out of the 18-yard box. Smith's clear found Donegal, who played a quick one-two pass with rookie Michael Courtney '18. Courtney split a pair of River Hawk defenders that put Donegal into space.
 
Donegal showcased his breakaway speed, as the East Hampton, New York, native flew past two defenders and challenged another pair of Susquehanna backs inside the 18-yard box. After beating the first defender with his exceptional speed, Donegal cut back and forced another defender to miss on a sliding challenge. Although Donegal was sent to the ground on the challenge, he quickly picked himself up and megged Susquehanna's goalie for the eventual game-winning goal at the 63:40 mark.
 
Elmira would hold onto its lead for the remaining 26-plus minutes of regulation, but not without a crucial save by Lipp in the 71st minute. A cross from the right sideline found Susquehanna's Pat Brensey, who flicked a header to the upper left corner of the goal. From there, Lipp dove to punch the ball away, but it ricocheted off of the post and back onto the six-yard mark where Alex Graul nearly tied the contest with a one-time strike. Thankfully Graul's attempt sailed high over the crossbar, neutralizing the threat.
 
The River Hawks produced just one shot in the final 19 minutes of play, which missed the target, resulting in a 2-1 win for the Purple and Gold.
 
In His Own Words…
Coach Brenner reflects on EC picking up its first win of the 2017 season…
"It was a fantastic total team effort today from everyone. I am very proud of the guys. We have been working pretty rigorously in training and the players implemented the game plan to perfection today. I thought a number of players stepped up and made a huge impact. We will recover, regenerate and regroup for another important match on Wednesday night in Buffalo, New York."
 
News and Notes

• Elmira picked up its first win of the 2017 season.
• Coach Brenner earned his first career win at the helm of the EC men's soccer program.
• EC snapped a two-game losing streak to Susquehanna and leveled the all-time series at 2-2.
• It marked Elmira's first win over the River Hawks since the 1994 campaign.
• The last time EC won a game in which it was outshot dates back to last season's 3-2 victory over Skidmore.
• The win also snapped an eight-game winless streak for the Elmira men.
• Smith and Donegal scored their first goals of the season, while Sanderson produced his first career assist.
• Lipp picked up his first collegiate win with five saves, a season-high for the rookie keeper.

  
Up Next
Elmira will look to build upon today's win next Wednesday, September 6, as the Soaring Eagles travel to Buffalo, New York, for a non-conference match against the Spartans of D'Youville College. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.