1
Utica UTICA_1_ (4-9-1 (1-4-0 E8))
2
Winner ELMIRA ELMIRA (3-11-0 (1-4-0 E8))
Utica UTICA_1_
(4-9-1 (1-4-0 E8))
1
Final
2
ELMIRA ELMIRA
(3-11-0 (1-4-0 E8))
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Utica UTICA_1_ 0 1 1
ELMIRA ELMIRA 1 1 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Shorthanded Men’s Soccer Keeps Postseason Hopes Alive with Pivotal 2-1 Win over Utica

Score: Elmira College 2, Utica College 1
Records: Elmira (3-11-0, 1-4-0 E8), Utica (4-9-1, 1-4-0 E8)
Location: Campus Field – Elmira, N.Y.
 
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Despite playing down a man for the final 34:53 of regulation, the Elmira College men's soccer team found a way to keep its postseason hopes alive with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Empire 8 Conference rival Utica College.
 
The Soaring Eagles struck first in today's contest, as freshman standout Ryan Wallace '22 registered his team-leading fourth goal of the 2018 campaign in the 12th minute. John Broyles '19 began the scoring play with a beautiful service on the corner kick that found Rodney Smith '19, who snapped a header on net. Utica's Randy Miksch came up with the stop, but the rebound leaked out to Wallace, who smashed it in from just outside the left post.
 
Utica had a pair of scoring chances in the 26th and 38th minutes of the opening half, but Elmira's Giovanni Garufi '22 came up with a pair of saves on both attempts to maintain EC's one-goal advantage heading into the halftime break.
 
Broyles picked up a quick yellow card just seven seconds into the second stanza, an infraction that would be crucial in this afternoon's contest. Ten minutes passed before Broyles was dinged once again with a yellow, his second of the game, on a delay of game call which resulted in a sending off of the senior midfielder.
 
Playing down a man, Elmira shifted its focus to defense but eventually the uneven numbers helped Utica produce an equalizing score at the 70:08 mark. In its attacking third, Utica played a ball to third-year striker Thomas Muller, who used his 6-foot-4-inch frame to shield off an Elmira defender and layoff a pass to Nicholas Diaz just outside the 18-yard box. From there, Diaz one-timed a shot that whizzed through traffic and into the right-side netting for the game-tying score.
 
It looked as though the momentum had shifted in Utica's favor, but a young Elmira squad showed its resilience by answering with a goal 34 seconds later to reclaim a one-goal lead, 2-1. The scoring play was setup by rookie wing-back Luke LeClair '22, who crossed the ball into the box from the left touchline. The cross was mishandled by Utica's Miksch, who bobbled it and allowed freshman Mark Brado Jr. '22 to flick a header into the open net for the eventual game-winning goal at 70:42.
 
The final 20 minutes were nail-biting, to say the least, as Utica pushed players forward in an attempt to equalize. Utica outshot the Purple and Gold, 5-0, during that time frame but three of those attempts missed their target and the other two were snuffed out by Garufi. Utica's last quality scoring opportunity came on a corner kick at 89:29, as the Pioneers sent all 11 men into the box, but EC defended the service to perfection and solidified a much-needed Empire 8 Conference victory.
 
Utica held a 14-11 lead in shots this afternoon, but shots on goal were even at 5-5. Corner-kick chances finished heavily in favor of the Pioneers, 9-3, but Elmira would be the one to capitalize on its limited corner-kick opportunities.
 
In His Own Words…
"Another gritty top performance from the men this afternoon," said head coach Kevin Brenner. "I thought we were the better team from the onset, and we were unlucky to go down to 10 men, but wow, what an effort to play the entire second half down a man and score the go-ahead goal! This keeps us in playoff contention. Full credit to the entire team today."
 
News and Notes
  • Elmira secured its third win of the year and its first E8 victory.
  • With the win, Elmira remained in E8 postseason contention.
  • Wallace scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season.
  • Brado Jr. tallied his first career goal, which held up as the game-winner.
  • Smith was credited with his second assist of the season.
  • LeClair picked up his first career assist.
  • Garufi finished with four saves in 90 minutes of action to secure his third win of the year.
  • Elmira played with 10 players during the final 34:53 of regulation.
 
Up Next
Elmira returns to Campus Field on Tuesday, October 16, when the Soaring Eagles take on WPI in non-league action. The opening kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m.
 
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