Score: Elmira College 10, Houghton College 6
Records: Elmira (3-12, 1-7 E8), Houghton (4-12, 0-7 E8)
Location: Campus Field – Elmira, N.Y.

ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Spurred on by a five-goal performance from James Mayer '20, the Elmira College men's lacrosse team closed out the 2019 campaign with a hard-fought 10-6 victory over Empire 8 Conference foe Houghton College on Campus Field.

Despite the Highlanders holding a 22-16 edge in shots on goal, sophomore netminder Jacob Mattice '21 posted 16 saves to keep Houghton off of the scoreboard. Mattice's antics in net inspired the offense, as four different players found their name on the scoresheet for the Purple and Gold. Mayer led the way with a season-best five goals, while David Keisler '20 and Sam Shaw '22 added two goals apiece. Isaac Gottheil '22 rounded out the scoring for the Soaring Eagles with his third goal of the year.

After slipping behind the Highlanders, 3-2, in the second quarter, the Soaring Eagles responded with a run of four consecutive goals that stretched into the third quarter of play. Mayer got the offense going with back-to-back strikes. Keisler scored his first of the afternoon after combining with Gottheil as time wound down in the opening half.

Mayer potted his fourth goal just 15 seconds into the third quarter as EC raced out to a 6-3 lead. Houghton did not go away quietly, as the Highlanders pulled within one at 6-5 following goals from Jonathan Mayer and Michael Wrobel. The Soaring Eagles did not waver, as Shaw halted the visitors' run with 4:32 on the clock in the third quarter. Mayer scored his final goal a little over two minutes later, while Keisler buried a feed from Cam Brickey '19 to make it a 9-5 contest.

Shaw scored EC's 10th and final goal with 3:07 remaining in regulation to seal the victory for the Purple and Gold.

In his own words...
Head Coach Brendan Gorman on the team's all-around performance...
"The team played hard and fought from the start to the end of the game. They stuck together and executed the game plan better than they had all season."

Coach Gorman on how the team's offense excelled against the Highlanders...
"Offensively, we did a good job of getting our strengths matched up against their weaknesses. We really took advantage of the matchups we identified in our scouting."

Coach Gorman spoke on the meaning of this win to the team...
"Our focus all season has been getting better everyday. To win in the season finale the way we did, really hows the guys that all the hard work they have done and will continue to do is paying off."

News and Notes

• EC improved to 7-0 all-time against the Highlanders.
• Elmira held the edge in ground balls, 51-49.
• The Soaring Eagles' 10 goals were a season-high.
• Brickey tallied game-highs in ground balls (11) and caused turnovers (10).
• Mayer's five goals were a career-high. Mayer ended the season with career-bests in points (17), goals (15), assists (2), ground balls (43), face-off wins (64) and caused turnovers (8).
• Mattice posted 16 saves, his 14th double-digit save performance of the season.
• Mattice finished the season with an astounding 236 saves.
• Keisler ended his junior season with a career-best 12 points (7g-5a).
• Shaw ended his rookie campaign with the team lead in points (25) and goals (24).