ELMIRA, N.Y. -- 110 minutes wasn't enough to decide a winner on Sunday afternoon, as the Elmira College men's soccer team (1-0-1) played visiting SUNY Canton (1-0-1) to a 0-0 double-overtime draw. With the result, Elmira and Canton remain unbeaten through the first two games of the 2019 campaign.
                             
Elmira held a slim 13-12 edge in shots, as well as a 4-2 lead in shots on goal. Corner kick chances favored the Purple and Gold as well, 10-8, while the Roos of Canton were whistled for 13 fouls compared to Elmira's 12 infractions.
 
EC once again employed an aggressive press in today's contest, much of that effort taking place in the early stages of the first half. Despite the pressure, Canton entered the halftime break with a 7-5 advantage in shots. Of Canton's seven attempts, two found their way on frame as EC's Giovanni Garufi '22 smothered both of them.
 
In the second stanza, Elmira came out of the gates by lacing a pair of shots on target in the opening four minutes. However, Canton's Dawson Pellerin made saves on both attempts, the first by Lutho Mlunguza '23 and the second by Justin Scott '23, to keep the score knotted at 0-0.
 
With the second half coming to a close, it looked as though Elmira's Junior Coulibaly '21 lifted EC to a win as he tip-toed through traffic and ripped a screamer from 20 yards out. Coulibaly's attempt whistled just past the left post, sending the contest into overtime.
 
The majority of the first overtime was uneventful, until Coulibaly once again got everyone on their feet with a near-goal in the closing seconds. Coulibaly found himself with a loose ball just outside the 18-yard box, and after a quick one-two touch he cracked a shot with the outside laces of his right boot with hopes of curling it into the left corner. Unfortunately his attempt skimmed the post before going off the end line.
 
Elmira pushed for a game-winner in the second overtime period as well, but was unable to find the back of the cage, as today's non-conference match ended in a 0-0 double-overtime draw.
 
In His Own Words
Head Coach Kevin Brenner reflects on today's draw…
"I think we learned a great deal more about the squad today. Not the result we were looking for, but also not a loss. I think we were lacking the final touches in the attacking third today – we created plenty of chances but did not test the Canton goalkeeper nearly enough. Canton did an outstanding job competing and winning the small battles today, which will prove to be a valuable lesson for us in future games. We need to come out firing on all cylinders on Wednesday, which I have full confidence that we will."  
 
News and Notes

• Elmira is unbeaten in its first two games, its best start since 2013.
• EC's 13 shots are the most it has taken since October 3, 2018, against Wells (14).
• Garufi posted his second clean sheet in as many games.
• Tony Valencia '22, Marco Maggiore '23 and Coulibaly played all 110 minutes of today's contest.

 
Up Next
The Elmira men return to the pitch on Wednesday, September 4, when they travel to take on the Hawks of Hilbert College. The non-conference tilt is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in Hamburg, New York.