ELMIRA, N.Y. – Top seeded Elmira men's soccer will host #4 seeded Hartwick College on Wednesday, November 1, at 1:00 p.m. in its first-ever Empire 8 playoff game at Campus Field. 

After finishing the season with a 5-0-3 conference record, Elmira men's soccer clinched a spot in the Empire 8 postseason for the first time since 2019 when it played to a 2-2-2 record and secured the two-seed in the tournament. The winner of Elmira's semifinal match against the Hawks will take on the winner of Alfred vs. St. John Fisher for the Empire 8 title on Saturday, November 4, at 1:00 p.m.

This marks the Soaring Eagles first conference one-seed in men's soccer after their undefeated conference campaign.

Matchup History:
In their four games against each other, Elmira and Hartwick have each won twice. Earlier this season the Soaring Eagles came out on top 1-0 thanks to a 59th minute Mohamed Koroma '25 goal. Each of the three conference meetings between the two teams have been one-score affairs, with EC holding a 2-1 record in-conference vs. the Hawks.

Keys to the Game:

• Offensive Production: Elmira's 12 conference goals rank first in the Empire 8. Forward Martin Harguindey '26 finished the regular season leading the Empire 8 in regular season goals with 11 and conference goals with five. The second year player from Ituzaingo, Argentina also is tied for the lead in overall points with 24, with 12 coming in conference play. Harguindey has been a consistent source of offense for the Soaring Eagles in 2023, having scored or assisted in nine out of EC's 16 games in the regular season and five out of eight conference games.
• Continued Strong Back Line Play: Elmira has only allowed two goals in conference play all season, fewest in the Empire 8. It has also only faced 21 shots in conference games this season which also ranks as the fewest in the Empire 8. Elmira's center-back pairing of Kerfalla Toure '26 and Konstantinos Triantafillou '27 has started six of its eight conference games this season, playing the majority of the minutes in all conference games and recording six clean sheets. The Soaring Eagles have not allowed more than one goal in any conference game this season.
• Keep it in Safe Hands: Elmira goalkeeper Juan Carlos Cruz Gandia '27 has only allowed one conference goal all season while ranking second in the Empire 8 in save percentage at .941. Cruz Gandia has started seven out of Elmira's eight conference matches and has proved to be a secure presence between the posts.
• Get on the Board Early: Elmira has only trailed in one Empire 8 match this season and has scored first in five of its eight conference games.

Ticketing Information:
$5.00 - General Admission
Free - Kids 12 & Under
First 200 people to present their Elmira ID's will have their tickets comped.
All tickets can be purchased at the game.

Statistics/Live Video:
Elmira College will provide all live video and statistics, which may be found here.