Elmira vs. Nazareth
Game Details	Saturday, Apr. 7 | Elmira, N.Y. | 1:00 p.m.
Game Coverage	Live Stats: Stats Link
Nazareth Links	Roster | Schedule | Stats

ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's lacrosse team has an Empire 8 Conference bout against Nazareth College at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, at nearby Notre Dame High School. The bout will serve as EC's United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA)/HEADstrong Cancer Awareness Game.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Despite falling 16-7 to Utica College on Saturday, March 31, the contest stands as Elmira's best performance of the season. For the first time this year, the Soaring Eagles owned a lead going into the halftime break, 7-6. Nevin Olney '18 was fantastic in the bout, as he led the team with a season-high four points (3g-1a). Kevin DiMagno '20 also logged a multi-point outing, his first of the season, with one goal and one assist. Freshman goalie Jacob Mattice '21 made the start for EC and made nine saves in 45 minutes of action.
 
CANCER AWARENESS GAME
Saturday's contest will serve as the Purple and Gold's annual USILA/HEADstrong Cancer Awareness Game. Elmira has hosted this wonderful event in each of the last three seasons and has raised over $6,800 through the charity's annual Mustache Madness Campaign. HEADstrong was established by former Hofstra University men's lacrosse player Nicholas Colleluori, who was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma following his freshman season. His goal was to raise awareness and funds to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families by providing essential services.
 
SCOUTING NAZARETH
The Golden Flyers, who won the E8 Tournament a year ago, have not found the same success this season, as they are 2-9 overall to begin the year. A key factor in this record is the caliber of program that Naz has faced, as it has challenged six teams that are currently in the USILA National Rankings, which included its last four competitors. Most recently, the Golden Flyers fell to No. 18 Ithaca College by a 10-6 final score on Wednesday, April 4, in Ithaca, New York. As a result of facing all of these talented foes, sophomore goalie Alex Winkler has stayed very busy. The Fort Collins, Colorado, native leads the team in saves (54), goals-against average (12.93) and minutes played (352:46). On offense, Jack Crowley (15g-7a) and Paul Walter (17g-3a) lead the team with 22 and 20 points, respectively. Crowley has been particularly effective of late, tallying multiple points in each of his last three contests.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's contest will mark the 18th meeting between the two programs. The Soaring Eagles are still looking for their first win against their feathered foes, as Naz has won the previous 17 tilts. Last season, the Golden Flyers earned a 20-2 triumph in Rochester, New York.
 
UP NEXT
EC continues Empire 8 Conference play on Saturday, April 14, with a road 1:00 p.m. tilt against the Highlanders of Houghton College.