ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Elmira College flag football team traveled to Oneonta to take on Hartwick College in their Empire 8 opener. After a slow start, the Soaring Eagles almost pulled off an exceptional comeback, but ultimately fell to the Hawks, 26-18.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The EC defense opened strong, forcing a Hartwick punt just over two minutes into the game. Hannah Smith connected with Jenica Jones for 11 yards on the ensuing drive, but Hartwick held firm and forced a turnover on downs inside EC territory. After another defensive stop, the Soaring Eagles struggled to gain momentum and punted again. Hartwick capitalized on the ground, driving downfield for the game's first score to take a 6–0 lead after one.
The Hawks struck quickly in the second quarter, converting a deep pass and adding a successful two-point try to extend the lead to 14–0. Following an EC punt, Hartwick continued to dominate on the ground, using several big runs to push its advantage to 20–0. Elmira began to find rhythm offensively as Smith hit Faith Ingber for 28 yards, moving EC to the Hartwick 12-yard line, but the drive ended on downs. Hartwick answered with a 51-yard touchdown pass to stretch the lead to 26–0. Before halftime, Smith led another promising drive, highlighted by completions to Kylie Hook and Ingber, but the Soaring Eagles reached the three-yard line as time expired, heading into the break scoreless.
Elmira broke through to start the second half, as Smith found Hook in the end zone to cap a sustained drive. After forcing a three-and-out, EC continued to push, reaching the Hartwick 15-yard line as the third quarter ended with the Hawks leading 26–12.
The EC defense held firm early in the fourth, forcing another punt, but a seven-play drive ended in an interception. After another defensive stop, though Hartwick burned valuable time, Smith connected with Nyla Capen on consecutive plays before finding Ingber for a 24-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to one possession. However, the Soaring Eagles were unable to regain possession, falling to the Hawks, 26–18.
LEADERS
Hannah Smith threw for 352 yards and 3 touchdowns while completing 39 passes. Kyle Hook dominated, catching 18 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns while Faith Ingber added 123 yards and one touchdown on 10 receptions.
UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles will stay on the road as they travel to SUNY Geneseo to face the Knights in a conference matchup on Friday, March 27. Game time is set for 6:00 PM.
