ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's soccer team faced its toughest challenge of the season this evening with a non-conference tilt against defending SUNYAC champion Brockport. A tactical performance by the Golden Eagles (3-1-0) handed the Soaring Eagles (2-1-1) their first loss of the 2019 season, a 2-0 setback on Campus Field.
                     
Brockport held a 22-3 advantage in shots, as well a 10-1 lead in shots on goal. Corner-kick opportunities also finished in favor of the Golden Eagles, 10-2.
 
Play through the early stages of the first half was fairly even, as Elmira's back line did a solid job of preventing quality looks inside the attacking third. However, Brockport's relentless attack finally paid dividends when Jason Hayes curled a shot into the right-side netting for the game-opening goal in the 22nd minute. Matthew Stefaniw was credited with an assist on the Brockport tally.
 
Less than three minutes later, Elmira was whistled for a pair of fouls, the second of which awarded the Golden Eagles a penalty kick. Jeff Hibbard stepped up to the 12-yard dot and buried the penalty kick in the left corner past an outstretched Giovanni Garufi '22 in the 25th minute.
 
Elmira nearly cut the Brockport lead in half in the 28th minute, when rookie Donovan Sewell '23 found himself one-on-one with Brockport's Joseph Romano. Sewell almost beat the keeper, but Romano rushed off of his line and made a fine reactionary save to deny Sewell at the doorstep and maintain Brockport's two-goal advantage.
 
Brockport held the Soaring Eagles without a shot attempt in the second half, while taking 10 of its own, none of which found the back of the net as the Golden Eagles marched away with a 2-0 win.
 
Garufi finished with a season-high eight saves this evening, six of which were recorded in the first half.
 
In His Own Words
Head Coach Kevin Brenner shares his thoughts on today's match…
"It was a big wake-up call for our young squad today against a tough and talented Brockport team. We will learn valuable lessons, rest the mind and body, and go again at home on Wednesday against Keystone."
 
News and Notes

• Elmira's unbeaten streak was snapped at three games this evening.
• EC suffered its first defeat of the year and its first setback at home.
• Garufi's eight saves were a season high and the second-highest total of his EC career.
• Brockport is the first of two-straight conference championship teams EC will face.

 
Up Next
Elmira will look to bounce back on Wednesday, September 11, when the Soaring Eagles welcome defending Colonial State Athletic Conference (CSAC) champion Keystone College to Campus Field. The opening kick-off is slated for 4:00 p.m.