LA PLUME, PA. – Pietro Gallina '26 and Aadne Aarstad '28 combined for seven of Elmira's 13 points on the day to lead the Purple and Gold in a season-opening 5-1 win at Keystone on Saturday afternoon. Goalkeeper Juan Carlos Cruz Gandia '27 made two saves and allowed just one goal on a penalty kick in the victory.
JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 5, Keystone 1
LOCATION: La Plume, Pennsylvania | Turf Field Athletic Complex
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (1-0-0, 0-0-0 Empire 8), Keystone (1-1-0, 0-0-0, United East)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Gallina got the first two goals of the season including the game winner for Elmira in a 78-second span before the game was six minutes old.
- Luka Tatanashvilli '29 staked the Soaring Eagles to a 3-1 lead in his collegiate debut with an assist coming from Miguel Robiou '27 with six minutes left in the first half to round out the opening-half scoring.
- In the 48th minute, Daniel Mercedes '27 pushed the Soaring Eagle lead to 4-1 with an assist from Aarstad, who wrapped up the scoring with a goal in the 65th minute. Ole Esselmann '28 was credited with an assist on Aarstad's tally.
- Gallina finished with a team-high four shots and joined Mercedes, Aarstad and Esselmann with two shots each on net.
- Elmira finished with a 27-4 shot edge with 12 finding the target and an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.
- Elmira extended its winning streak against Keystone to three dating back to 2021 and now holds a 6-1 edge all-time.
UP NEXT:
The Purple & Gold travel to Ithaca College for a non-conference matchup against the Bombers on Wednesday beginning at 8:00 PM.
