UTICA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's soccer team were not able to get on the board Saturday afternoon and fell 1-0 on the road to Empire 8 conference foe, Utica College. The Soaring Eagles had 11 shots to the Pioneers seven, holding a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal. Utica came up with what would be the game-deciding goal in the 40th minute and was able to withstand eight second half shots from EC to come away with their first conference win of the year.
JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 0, Utica 1
LOCATION: Utica, NY
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (5-5, 1-2 E8), Utica (4-4-1, 1-1 E8)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Forty minutes into the match, Utica's Brady Barnard connected with Gian Rodriguez for the game's only goal. Rodriguez found himself one on one with Elmira goalkeeper
Giovanni Garufi '22 and was able to lift the ball over the keeper's reach for his first career goal. Garufi finished the game with three saves.
The second half saw the Soaring Eagles up the intensity as they searched for an equalizer. EC created eight shots including two big chances with just under five minutes to play. Corner kicks were won in the 85th and 86th minute by Elmira, the first found the head of
Kodel Frontin '25 and the second of
Lutho Mlunguza '23. Unfortunately neither shot was on target and the Soaring Eagles were not able to push the match to overtime.
UP NEXT:
Elmira returns to action on Tuesday, October 5th when they travel to Aurora, NY to face Wells College. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
