ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's soccer team fell to the visiting Alfred University Saxons 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at Campus Field. The Saxons held a 2-0 lead late into the second half before Anthony Esce Jr. '22 grabbed a goal in the 83rd minute to put the game within reach. The Soaring Eagles would push for an equalizer over the final seven minutes of play but were unable to create any dangerous chances. EC finished the game with 20 total shots to Alfred's eight and held the advantage in corner kicks, 8-4.
 
JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 1, Alfred 2
LOCATION: Elmira, NY
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (6-6, 1-3 E8), Alfred (3-7-2, 2-2 E8)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Saxons took a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute on a goal from Henry Smith, assisted by Gavin Harrington. Elmira held the advantage in shots in the first half, 10-5 but could not produce a goal. In the second half, EC would continue to search for a game-tying score but it was Alfred that would find goal. In the 61st minute, Sai Baraka scored off an assist from Smith.
 
Then with just over seven minutes to play in the match, the Soaring Eagles would find life. After a Saxon shot on goal was scooped up by Giovanni Garufi '22, the goalkeeper would send a long punt all the way to the top of the Alfred 18-yard box. Gavin Wise '22 settled the ball before it was poked away by the defense, but Ecse Jr. was right there to win it back. He would take one touch to about 25 yards out and send a blast into the top right of goal to cut the lead to one.
 
UP NEXT:
The Purple & Gold return to action on Wednesday, October 13th when they travel to Oneonta, NY for an Empire 8 conference matchup with Hartwick College. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.