Score: Elmira College 1, Wells College 0
Records: Elmira (2-9-0), Wells (2-10-0)
Location: Wells Turf Field – Elmira, N.Y.
 
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- A goal in the 40th minute by freshman Ryan Wallace '22 was enough to hand the Elmira College men's soccer team its second victory of the season, as the Soaring Eagles went on the road to defeat Wells College, 1-0.
 
Senior captain Rodney Smith '19 set up the scoring play with a phenomenal effort in the midfield. Smith intercepted a headed pass by Wells in the middle third of the field, before sending a pass to Wallace, who one-timed it back to Smith. From there, Smith softly passed it back to Wallace at the top of the 18-yard box where he curled it into the upper left corner for the game-opening and eventual game-winning score.
                              
Giovanni Garufi '22 got the starting nod in net for the Soaring Eagles and made five saves en route to his second win of the season. Three of his five saves came in the second half, all of which were logged in the final 20 minutes of regulation.
 
The Soaring Eagles owned a 14-11 advantage in shots, however, shots on goal stood even at six apiece. Elmira's pressure in the opening half was key in taking the lead, as five of their seven first-half attempts made their way on goal, including a pair of attempts five seconds apart in the 43rd minute by Adam Nichols '20 and Wallace.
 
Corner-kick opportunities finished in favor of the Express, 7-2. Elmira's corner-kick chances took place in the 68th minute, both of which were taken by senior John Broyles '19, but the Soaring Eagles were unable to capitalize on either opportunity. On the other side of the ball, Elmira did a fine job defending Wells on the corner kick, as only one of the Express' seven chances produced a shot on goal.

In His Own Words…
"Tremendous effort and will to win today from our guys," said head coach Kevin Brenner. "The players were fully committed today to keeping a clean sheet for the duration of the game. I thought we were the better team on the day and deserved the result. With such a young talented squad today was a byproduct of all their hard work and development."
 
News and Notes

• Wallace scored his team-leading third goal of the season.
• Wallace is tied for the team lead in points (6).
• Smith logged his first point and assist of the season.
• The assist was also the first of Smith's career.
• Garfui earned his second win of the 2018 campaign.
• Garfui has made five saves in each of his last five starts.

 
Up Next
The Elmira men return to action this Saturday, October 6, when they travel to Hoboken, New Jersey, to face Stevens Institute of Technology. Saturday's Empire 8 Conference showdown is slated for 5:00 p.m.