MORRISVILLE, N.Y. -- In its 2019 non-conference finale, the Elmira College field hockey team went on the road and picked up a 2-0 victory over Morrisville State under the lights at Drake Field on Tuesday night.

The win allowed the Soaring Eagles to even their record at 6-6, tying last year's total in the win column with four games remaining on the docket. The Mustangs, on the other hand, fell to 1-12 on the season.

The Purple and Gold came out firing on all cylinders. The Soaring Eagles produced 17 of their game-high 26 shots in the first half, while the defensive unit held the Mustangs without a shot for the first 42:25. Late in the opening period, Janie Kempf '21 recorded the eventual game-winning goal on a penalty corner. Holly Karalus '21 inserted the ball to Emily Selbert '20 atop the arc, who swung the ball to Frankie Puglisi '23 on her right. Puglisi fired the ball into traffic in front of the cage, where Kempf was able to redirect it past the Morrisville goalie to take a 1-0 lead.

Elmira continued to apply pressure on the Mustangs in the second half, as the Soaring Eagles opened the third quarter with five penalty corners and four shots in the first three-and-a-half minutes. Selbert was able to widen the gap to 2-0 on the fifth penalty corner. Although the ball was initially intercepted in the middle of the arc, the senior midfielder regained possession and quickly put the ball into the back of the cage.

Although EC dominated possession early, the Mustangs did their best to mount a comeback late. All nine of Morrisville's shots and five of its seven penalty corners were logged in the final 18 minutes. Tina O'Donnell '20 was forced to make a flurry of saves in the last two minutes of the third quarter, including a great stop batting the ball away with her left-hand protector to preserve the clean sheet. The senior goalie made two additional saves in the fourth to seal the victory.

In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Jessica Franklin on her team's performance in the win over Morrisville…
"The girls played great during this game. They utilized everything they've worked on this season and really put the offensive pressure on Morrisville."

News and Notes

• Elmira earned its sixth win against Morrisville, tied with the 2018 squad for the most in a season since the 2005 Soaring Eagles matched the feat with six victories.
• EC has won two in a row against the Mustangs and held them scoreless for the first time in series history.
• O'Donnell equaled her career-high with six wins in goal, tied for fourth-most in program single-season history.
• O'Donnell's fourth shutout of the year has her ranked third in single-season history.
• Kempf tallied her team-leading eighth goal of the year, moving her into sole possession of fourth-place all-time in career goals (22).
• Selbert scored the third goal of her senior campaign.
• Puglisi's assist marks her first collegiate point.

Up Next
Elmira begins a three-game homestand at the Murray Athletic Center on Saturday, October 19, when the Soaring Eagles host Utica College in Empire 8 Conference action at 12:00 p.m.