ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's soccer team erased a three-goal first-half deficit against SUNY Delhi on Friday afternoon at Campus Field in a spirited 3-3 draw against the Broncos on Class of 2021 Recognition Day.

SUNY Delhi (0-0-1) looked like the better team early in the first half. The Broncos not only put more shots on goal and had more corners in the first, but they maintained steady possession and attacked with purpose. That helped Delhi scored back-to-back goals quickly in the 18th and 21st minutes. In the 35th minute, the visitors extended their lead to 3-0 on an own goal that was deflected into the net by an Elmira (0-3-1) defender.

The Soaring Eagles wasted little time before responding with their first tally of the afternoon. In the 37th minute, Zoya Katta '21 sent two crosses into the box from the right side of the field. Her first pass was immediately returned by a Delhi defender, but the Broncos could not clear the second try. The ball slowly tricked towards the top of the 18-yard box, where Marygrace Nichols '23 fired a shot through traffic. Goalie Rachael Scoones got a piece of the ball, but not enough, as it barely had enough spin to crawl over the goal line.

After Elmira netted its first goal, the Soaring Eagles began to play more confidently. The offense put immense pressure on Delhi's backline with several near-misses and quality looks but simply could not find the back of the net until the 76th minute.

Feeling desperate as time on the clock continued to tick away, Katta connected with classmate Taylor Hanson '21 on an excellent over-the-top pass. Hanson sprinted past her defender and was one-on-one with the keeper as she closed in on the six-yard box. The Chatham, New York, native shot towards the near post, and the ball was mishandled by Scoones, allowing it to sneak inside.

The game-tying goal came on a set piece 10 minutes later. Delhi was assessed a foul after a defender knocked Libby Cook '23 to the ground in a battle on the left side of the 18. Adrianna Cornell '22 sent the ball into a crowd in front of the net as several teammates crashed toward the goal line. One of those Soaring Eagles racing in was first-year midfielder Mackenzie Barton '24, who was in perfect position to tap in the tying score.

In the closing minutes, Elmira had one more run left that nearly resulted in a game-winner. In the 88th minute, Hanson took a shot that was deflected high in the air. Katta headed the ball ahead to Hailey Boris '21, who then flicked it towards the cage. Scoones shuffled to her right to snag the ball off the grass to preserve the 3-3 tie.

In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Greg Margolis, Ph.D., when asked about Elmira's three-goal comeback against Delhi…
 "So incredibly proud of this team. To come back like that was a perfect representation of what this team has gone through over the last year. A well-earned result to send these seniors off with a great final experience."

News and Notes

• Friday was Class of 2021 Recognition Day. EC would like to wish Katy Jewett '21, Megan Diem '21, Lily Kronick '21, Boris, Hanson, and Katta all the best in their future endeavors.
• The Soaring Eagles concluded their abbreviated spring schedule today against SUNY Delhi.
• Elmira's three goals are a season-high in 2021.
• Hanson's goal was the 12th of her career, giving her 25 points (12g-1a) over her four years as a Soaring Eagle.
• Nichols logged the first goal and the first two points of her collegiate career.
• In her third appearance as a freshman, Barton tallied her first career goal to even the score at 3-3.
• Cornell and Katta each recorded the fourth assists of their career.
• Cassidy Buchman '22 made six saves in goal for Elmira.