ELMIRA, N.Y. – A first-half goal from senior midfielder Pietro Gallina '26 proved to be the difference as the Elmira College men's soccer team earned a 1-0 victory over Nazareth University in the Empire 8 Quarterfinal Round on a windy Saturday Afternoon at Campus Field. With the victory, Elmira advances to its third consecutive semifinal round, which will take place on Wednesday on the campus of SUNY Brockport against the Golden Eagles. 

JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 1, Nazareth 0
LOCATION: Elmira, NY | Campus Field
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (10-3-5, 7-1-3 Empire 8), Nazareth (7-7-3, 5-5-1 Empire 8) 

HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Soaring Eagles struck early in the 14th minute when Gallina buried a feed from Adam Tufton '28 to the top corner, giving Elmira the only goal it would need. The assist marked Tufton's first of the season, and his fourth point in his last two games, while Gallina tallied his 13th goal of the year and team-leading 28th point to pace the EC offense.

Despite the early advantage, Elmira leaned heavily on its defense the rest of the way. Goalkeeper Juan Carlos Cruz Gandia '27 was outstanding between the posts, turning aside all six shots he faced to record his fifth shutout of the season. The Elmira backline, anchored by Aadne Aarstad '28 and Juan Ortegon '27 held strong under consistent second-half pressure from the Golden Flyers, who outshot Elmira 13-9 for the match.

Nazareth's best chance came late in the contest, but Gandia made a pair of key saves in the final minutes to preserve the clean sheet.

UP NEXT:
Elmira heads to SUNY Brockport on Wednesday to take on the Golden Flyers in the Semifinal Round of the Empire 8 Tournament. Game time is currently TBD.