ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's soccer team stood tall on defense all afternoon, but consistent pressure and a quick-hitting attack from the Cardinals of St. John Fisher made the difference, as EC fell by a 2-0 margin in Empire 8 Conference action.

Following today's result, St. John Fisher moved to 4-6-1 overall with a 2-0-1 mark in Empire 8 Conference play. Elmira's record stands at 2-8-0 overall and 0-3-0 in conference.

The Soaring Eagles came out strong against the Cardinals as the two sides got into the flow of the game. Zoya Katta '21 rifled a curling effort in the sixth minute, but the attempt sailed wide of St. Fisher's goal. Three minutes later, the Cardinals were able to break through against EC's defensive setup. St. John Fisher forced a turnover deep in Elmira's defensive third. The ball found its way to St. John Fisher's Becky Mack, who took two touches before curling a shot into the right side of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

The Soaring Eagles attempted to answer quickly, as they fired off a pair shots within 30 seconds of each other. Taylor Hanson '21 tested St. John Fisher's Kayla Shutts in the 11th minute before Hailey Boris '21 fired a hard shot on frame in the 12th. Unfortunately, Shutts was able to snuff out the scoring chances on both occasions. Ally Knorr Anderson '23 was called into action on three occasions as the half wound down, but the rookie netminder kept the Cardinals off the board.

St. John Fisher upped the offensive pressure to open the second half of action, sending seven shots towards EC's goal over a nine-minute timespan. The Soaring Eagles weathered the initial storm, but the Cardinals broke through Elmira's stout defense in the 68th minute, as Abigail Dwyer was able to sneak a close shot past Knorr-Anderson. The Cardinals continued to control the flow of the game, but Hanson looked to get EC onto the board in the 77th minute. The junior wound up and struck the ball with pace, but the shot ricocheted off of a St. John Fisher defender. Elmira was unable to generate much pressure from then on, as the Cardinals held on for the victory.

News and Notes

• EC had seven players play the full 90 minutes against the Cardinals.
• St. John Fisher held the edge in corner kicks, 6-3.
• Knorr-Anderson tallied a game-high 11 saves.
• Knorr-Anderson has posted double-digit saves on five occasions in 2019.
• Hanson and Boris finished with three shots apiece to pace the Soaring Eagles.
• Kelly Keegan '23 is the only freshman to have started in all 10 games this season.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles continue Empire 8 play on Saturday, October 12, when they head to Oneonta, New York to battle Hartwick College. The contest against the Hawks is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start.