Elmira, N.Y. – The Elmira College women's soccer team secured a spot in the Empire 8 postseason tournament on Wednesday evening after shutting out the Saxons of Alfred University, 1-0. The Soaring Eagles delivered a strong defensive performance and got the game-winning goal from
Dani Cruz in the second half to clinch their place in the postseason.
LEADERS
Cruz scored the decisive goal for Elmira, finding the back of the net in the 60th minute.
Tierney Krawczyk,
Isabella Reuter, and
Brooke Wilcox each put a shot on goal, while
Amelia Sacratini also recorded a shot on target.
Sarah Cantrell anchored the defensive effort, making four saves to earn the shutout.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
Elmira generated several opportunities in the opening half, including a shot from Cruz that struck the crossbar in the 26th minute. Krawczyk followed with a shot on target that was saved, and the Soaring Eagles earned two corner kicks late in the half as they continued to pressure the Alfred defense. Cantrell made a key save in the 42nd minute to keep the game scoreless heading into halftime (0-0).
The Soaring Eagles continued to push after the break, and the breakthrough came in the 60th minute. Following a pair of Elmira shots that were saved, Cruz found the back of the net off a corner kick to give the Soaring Eagles a 1-0 advantage. Elmira continued to create chances throughout the second half, while Cantrell and the defense held firm against Alfred's attempts to equalize. Cantrell recorded three second-half saves, helping preserve the shutout as Elmira closed out the victory and clinched its place in the Empire 8 postseason tournament.
UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles will travel to Utica on Saturday, October 24 for another E8 showdown. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM.
For the latest and most up-to-date information on Elmira College Athletics, please visit athletics.elmira.edu. Follow us on Twitter - @ECSoaringEagles, Instagram - @ecsoaringeagles, YouTube - @ECSoaringEagles, and Facebook by searching Elmira College Athletics.
