HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Despite converting a penalty kick early in the first half, the Elmira College men's soccer program dropped a 3-1 decision on the road against Houghton on Wednesday night in an Empire 8 Conference matchup.  
 
JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 1, Houghton 3
LOCATION: Houghton, N.Y. | Burke Field
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (9-5-3, 3-4-1 E8), Houghton (4-11-2, 2-4-2 E8)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Elmira would break through on the scoreboard first as both teams opened the contest with a defensive approach. Gavin Wise '22 would take a penalty kick for the Soaring Eagles just over 17 minutes into the contest after a foul inside the box. Wise converted for his sixth goal of the season after burying a shot in the lower right corner of the net.

Houghton would answer with the equalizer with less than five minutes to play in the opening half after being awarded a free kick from 15 yards out. A shot would be knocked down in front of Elmira goalkeeper Zachary Raffino '23 and eventually eluded him to the lower left corner of the cage to make it 1-1.

The Highlanders continued to carry momentum in the second half and would take their first lead of the match in the 66th minute as a cross from the right side of the box would find the back of the net for Houghton. The Highlanders would add an insurance goal in the 84th minute of action to increase their lead to 3-1. After recording just one shot on frame in the first half, Houghton would notch eight shots on goal in the second half of action.

Raffino finished the contest with six saves in net for the Purple & Gold, while Martin Harguindey '26 and Kodel Frontin '25 each recorded a shot on goal for Elmira.

UP NEXT:
The Purple & Gold return to action on Saturday, October 29 as they wrap up the regular season at home against Empire 8 Conference foe Hartwick at Campus Field beginning at 2:30 P.M. Elmira will hold its Class of 2023 recognition before the start of the contest against the Hawks.