Jhoan Chavez
0
Alfred ALF (4-5-1, 2-3-1)
3
Winner Elmira ELM (5-1-4, 3-0-2)
Alfred ALF
(4-5-1, 2-3-1)
0
Final
3
Elmira ELM
(5-1-4, 3-0-2)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Alfred ALF 0 0 0
Elmira ELM 2 1 3

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Soaring Eagles Down Alfred 3-0 on Saturday to Earn Empire 8 Victory

ELMIRA, N.Y. – In a battle of Empire 8 foes with postseason implications, the Elmira College men's soccer team defended its home turf with a 3-0 victory over Alfred University on Saturday afternoon.

JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 3, Alfred 0
LOCATION: Elmira, New York | Campus Field
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (5-1-4, 3-0-2 Empire 8), Alfred (4-6-1, 2-3-1 Empire 8)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • The Soaring Eagles struck early, finding the back of the net just six minutes into play. A perfectly placed cross from Ole Esselman '28 connected with senior captain Jhoan Chavez '26, who buried the shot to give EC an early 1-0 lead
  • The teams traded possessions for much of the half, with both defenses standing tall. Alfred's Dennis Hayes tested Elmira goalkeeper Juan Carlos Cruz Gandia '27 midway through the period, but Cruz Gandia made the save to preserve the lead.
  • With 19:04 remaining in the first half, Jose Navea Corporan '27 delivered a long pass to Pietro Gallina '26, who skillfully maneuvered around the final defender before slotting home a clean finish to extend the lead to 2-0. The goal marked Gallina's team-leading sixth of the season.
  • Alfred's best chance of the opening frame came in the 41st minute, when Juan Jose Menendez Gutierrez sent a shot just wide. The Soaring Eagles entered halftime with a comfortable 2-0 advantage.
  • The Saxons opened the second half aggressively, earning several early chances, but the EC back line—anchored by Olivier Rusch '26 and Valentino Aguilera '27—remained composed. Minutes later, a quick counterattack led to a chance for Daniel Mercedes '27, whose shot deflected off a defender and wide of goal.
  • With 20 minutes remaining, Alfred earned consecutive corner kicks, but Navea Corporan and the Elmira defense held firm to keep the shutout intact.
  • The Soaring Eagles sealed the victory in the 84th minute when a Chavez corner kick found first-year Alejo Guzman Romero Jr. '29, who headed home his first career collegiate goal.

UP NEXT:
The Soaring Eagles will host Hartwick on Wednesday at 4:00 PM on Campus Field for a rematch of the 2024 Empire 8 Semifinal Round, a game in which EC grabbed  2-0 victory on the opposition's home pitch.


 

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