Elmira, N.Y. – The Elmira College men's soccer team welcomed the Utica University Pioneers to Campus Field on Saturday afternoon for an Empire 8 matchup. The Soaring Eagles scored twice in the first half, including a spectacular goal from midfield, and held Utica scoreless to secure a 2-0 victory.
LEADERS
Adam Tufton opened the scoring for EC with his fourth goal of the season, while
Jose Corporan recorded a goal and an assist, bringing his season goal total to three. In net,
Juan Carlos Cruz Gandia made five saves to earn the shutout.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
Utica came out on the front foot, testing Cruz Gandia twice and striking the crossbar in the opening minutes. The Soaring Eagles began to settle into the match, creating several opportunities of their own.
Luka Tatanashvili forced the Pioneers' goalkeeper into a pair of saves in the 16th and 19th minutes as EC continued to build pressure. The breakthrough came in the 21st minute following beautiful link-up play from the Soaring Eagles. Elmira put together an impressive 22-pass sequence, eventually finding Tufton, who finished the move to give EC a 1-0 advantage. Corporan picked up the assist on Tufton's fourth goal of the season. The Soaring Eagles doubled their lead in spectacular fashion in the 41st minute. Corporan spotted the Utica goalkeeper off his line and chipped him from midfield, sending the ball into the back of the net for his third goal of the season as EC went into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
Utica came out looking to cut into Elmira's lead in the second half, forcing Cruz Gandia into two saves in the opening six minutes. The Soaring Eagles responded with several chances of their own, as Corporan sent a pair of shots over the crossbar before Tufton put an effort wide in the 63rd minute. The Pioneers continued to push forward in search of a goal, recording eight shots in the second half. Elmira's defense held firm, however, limiting Utica's opportunities and preserving the two-goal advantage. Cruz Gandia finished with five saves as the Soaring Eagles secured the 2-0 victory.
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