Elmira, N.Y. – The Elmira College field hockey team battled Houghton University in a tightly contested Empire 8 matchup on Wednesday afternoon. After falling behind in the second quarter, Elmira responded with a third-quarter equalizer and both teams fought until the final whistle and sent them into overtime. The Soaring Eagles pushed on offense but just fell short 2-1.
LEADERS
Talia Nash scored Elmira's lone goal, with
Madison Fleming picking up the assist. Fleming led the Soaring Eagles with eight shots, while Nash added three attempts.
Elara Rodriguez turned aside 12 shots in goal, keeping Elmira within striking distance throughout the contest. Elmira finished with 16 shots, including nine on goal, while earning nine penalty corners.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
Elmira came out aggressively in the opening quarter, generating six shots and five penalty corners while looking to establish an early advantage. The Soaring Eagles created several promising opportunities, including a late flurry that saw Fleming put consecutive shots on target and
Nicole Luther and
Gabby Warter testing the Houghton goalkeeper. Despite the sustained pressure, neither side found the back of the cage in the opening 15 minutes.
Houghton broke through at the 16:06 mark of the second quarter on a penalty stroke to take a 1-0 lead. Elmira continued to work for an equalizer, with Fleming creating another opportunity and the Soaring Eagles earning two penalty corners in the period. Rodriguez also made key stops to prevent Houghton from extending its advantage, keeping the deficit at one heading into halftime (1-0).
The Soaring Eagles found their breakthrough in the third quarter after continuing to battle for possession and scoring chances. Following a save by Rodriguez early in the period, Elmira worked to build momentum on the attacking end. Fleming put a shot on target at the 41:19 mark, and just seconds later, Nash finished the opportunity off an assist from Fleming to even the score at 1-1. The goal gave Elmira renewed momentum as the teams entered the final quarter deadlocked.
Both teams looked for the decisive goal in the fourth, with Houghton generating several penalty-corner opportunities and Rodriguez continuing to come up with important stops. Elmira remained within reach, and Fleming and Nash each registered a shot late in the period as the Soaring Eagles searched for a breakthrough. Neither side was able to find the go-ahead goal, sending the contest to overtime tied at one.
Elmira had an opportunity to take control in the extra period when
Peyton DeMaio put a shot on goal at the 62:19 mark, earning a penalty corner for the Soaring Eagles. Fleming followed with a shot that was blocked, keeping the pressure on Houghton's defense. Rodriguez made another save to keep the game even, but Houghton eventually converted at the 64:11 mark to secure the 2-1 overtime victory.
UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles hit the road for their final contest of the regular season at SUNY Geneseo on Saturday, October 24. Game time is slated for 1:00 PM.
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