ELMIRA, N.Y. -- On Class of 2021 Recognition Day, the Elmira College women's lacrosse team toppled Division II Edinboro University, 18-16, in the first home game on Campus Field in over two years.

Monday's matchup was a game of runs. There were several times where both the Fighting Scots (0-2) and Soaring Eagles (4-2) looked as if they were in the driver's seat, only to see the other side swing the momentum in its favor with consecutive goals. Edinboro scored five in a row to take a 5-1 lead in the opening half, but EC clawed back to even the score at 6-6. Down 8-6 at halftime, the Purple and Gold rallied with nine of the next 10 goals, only to see the Fighting Scots knot the game at 15-15 with 12:50 remaining in the second half.

When it mattered, Elmira took control. With just under 10 minutes to play in regulation, Emily Ferguson '24 started a 3-0 run punctuated by a woman-up goal from Kendra Heath '23 and a team-best seventh marker from Kari Jensen '23 with 1:25 to go. With the Soaring Eagles clinging to an 18-16 advantage, Jensen won the last draw, and Elmira was able to wear out the final seconds.

Possession off the draw made a significant impact for both teams. The Soaring Eagles won the draw control battle, 23-to-13, thanks mainly to a dominant effort from Jensen with 19. The second-year midfielder from Waterloo, New York, collected more against Edinboro than by herself than EC has as a team since March 19, 2016.

In the second half, the Soaring Eagles converted their draw controls directly into goals on multiple occasions. After a free-position shot by Jensen tied it up at 8-8, she snagged the ensuing draw, setting up a score from Kayla Tobias '24 49 seconds later. After the Fighting Scots bounced back to make it 9-all, Emily Ferguson '24 and Jensen combined to win three consecutive draws, which sparked a 3-0 run in a span of 1:23.

Six different Soaring Eagles earned multiple points, led by Jensen with seven goals. Heath provided two tallies with a team-high three assists. Ferguson (3g-1a), Mikayla Carfello '22 (2g-1a), Catrina Dinehart '23 (2g), and Tobias (2g) rounded out Elmira's point-getters.

In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Katelyn Sherman on Elmira's exciting victory over Edinboro…
"So incredibly proud of this team. This was our best performance yet. The team truly showcased what we have been working on in practices. They kept up the energy and hustle throughout the entire game. It was a well-earned win on our home field to honor our seniors."

News and Notes

• Elmira improved to 4-2 following Monday's victory.
• The win marks Elmira's first against a Division II program since March 17, 2012, when the Soaring Eagles defeated Roberts Wesleyan College, 18-12; the Redhawks were in their first season transitioning from NAIA to Division II in 2012.
• EC's 18 goals, five free-position goals, and 23 draws are all single-game season-highs.
• Jensen set new career highs in points (7), goals (7), and draws (19).
• Ferguson has scored multiple goals in all six games as a Soaring Eagle in 2021.
• Heath has posted at least five points in four of six outings as a sophomore.
• Carfello logged a season-high three points (2g-1a).
• Alex Cox '23 was credited with the win and improved to 4-1 this season.
• Prior to the game, Krystyna Lilland '21 and Anna Brewer '21 were recognized as part of the team's Class of 2021 Recognition Day ceremony.

Up Next
Elmira's home-and-home series with Edinboro continues on Wednesday, April 21. The Soaring Eagles will travel to Edinboro, Pennsylvania, for a 4:00 p.m. meeting with the Fighting Scots.