Score: Elmira College 1, Houghton College 1
Records: Elmira (3-10-2, 0-5-1 E8), Houghton (6-4-2, 0-4-2)
Location: Campus Field – Elmira, N.Y.

ELMIRA, N.Y. -- On a chilly Wednesday afternoon, the Elmira College women's soccer team battled Empire 8 Conference foe Houghton into double overtime, but couldn't clinch the game-winner as the contest ended in a 1-1 tie.

Scoring opportunities were plentiful all afternoon as both teams peppered the opposing goalkeepers. Houghton held the edge in shots, finishing with 29 compared to Elmira's 14. EC placed 10 attempts on target, forcing Houghton goalkeeper Sadie Dunnett into nine saves. Senior Gabe Carmona '19 got the start between the sticks for the Soaring Eagles, finishing with 12 saves.

Elmira applied pressure early and often to start the contest, sending three shots on frame in the opening 10 minutes. Houghton responded in the 17th minute, as Jessica Beattie tested Carmona, but the senior stood tall to make the stop. Lily Kronick '21 had a chance to push the Purple and Gold ahead in the closing seconds of the period with a powerful shot from the edge of the 18-yard box. Houghton's Dunnett answered with a diving save to keep the score level at 0-0 heading into the halftime break.

The teams continued the back-and-forth until the Highlanders broke through for the game's opening goal in the 80th minute. Tess Schilke received a short pass from Jessica Beattie just inside the top of the 18-yard box before Schilke beat her defender and rifled a shot into the upper netting to give Houghton a 1-0 advantage.

The Soaring Eagles wasted little time answering the tally, as Hailey Boris '21 knotted the score a short two minutes later. After a misplayed pass from the Highlanders found its way to Boris, the sophomore wasted little time, launching a curling effort from 30 yards out. The ball snuck in just under the cross bar to knot the score at 1-1 as the contest headed to overtime.

Neither side generated much offense in the first overtime period, as Houghton tallied the lone shot in the 92nd minute. Schilke was able to fire a shot on target, but Carmona calmly made the save to keep the score level.  Houghton tested the Purple and Gold early and often in the final period of play, launching a barrage of five shots over the opening three minutes. 

With five minutes to play, the Highlanders launched a counter attack that forced Carmona off of her line. The Sylmar, California native made a diving play on the ball, but Houghton was rewarded a penalty kick following the bang-bang play. Brielle Kwarta stepped up to the penalty spot for the Highlander's, but her attempt missed wide, as the score remained even at 1-1.

Megan Diem had a chance for the Soaring Eagles in the 107th minute, but her long attempt was thwarted by Dunnett. Carmona was called into action once again as time wound to a close, but the senior parried the Highlanders final attempt as the horn sounded.

News and Notes

• Today's game marked the third time that the Soaring Eagles have played into double-overtime this season.
• Boris' goal was her first of the season.
• Carmona has tallied double-digit saves in five contests.
• Jennifer Flynn '20, Zoya Katta '21 ad Boris all finished with three shots apiece.
• The Purple and Gold have recorded double-digit shots in two of their last three contests.

Up Next
Elmira hosts Empire 8 foe Stevens this Saturday, October 20 in a 12:00 p.m. matinee. Prior to Saturday's contest the Soaring Eagles will recognize the members of the Class of 2019.