ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Elmira College women's soccer was unable to overcome a first-half deficit, as Utica College claimed a 4-1 victory in Empire 8 Conference action on a brisk Saturday afternoon. Prior to today's contest, Elmira honored its three graduating members of the Class of 2020:
Jennifer Flynn '20,
Tatiana Ivery '20 and
Nicole Hanselman '20.
Utica controlled the midfield in today's contest, and thus the stat sheet, as the Pioneers (10-5-1, 3-3-1 E8) outshout the Soaring Eagles (2-14-0, 0-7-0 E8), 26-9. Utica also held a 17-4 advantage in shots on goal, while Elmira held a slim edge in corner-kick attempts, 3-2.
Mikayla Blumenstock tilted today's contest in favor of the Pioneers with a phenomenal solo effort. Blumenstock had a hand in each of Utica's four goals, scoring three while assisting on another. She opened the contest with back-to-back tallies in the 17th and 22nd minutes, before assisting on Sydney Cook's goal at the 37-minute mark.
EC's
Taylor Hanson '21 ended the scoring run with a goal of her own just 57 seconds into the second stanza. A beautifully placed ball from
Lauren Foster '23 found Hanson in the box, where she one-timed the shot into the back of the net.
Elmira looked to push on for an equalizer, but Blumenstock completed her hat-trick with a goal in the 86th minute, which all but sealed a victory for Utica. Today's win clinched an Empire 8 Conference berth for the Pioneers, as they solidified the fourth seed and will travel to face top-seeded St. John Fisher in the E8 Semifinals.
News and Notes
- Today's game marked the final contest of the 2019 season for the Soaring Eagles.
- Elmira's Flynn, Ivery and Hanselman concluded their collegiate soccer careers this afternoon.
- Hanson scored her third goal, which tied for the team lead.
- Hanson also finished the 2019 campaign as Elmira's point leader (7).
- Foster logged the first assist and point of her collegiate career.
- Rookie goalie Ally Knorr-Anderson '23 finished with 13 saves.
- Knorr-Anderson has produced double-digit saves in seven games this season.