BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The Elmira College flag football team traveled to SUNY Brockport for a matchup against the Golden Eagles in the Empire 8 Championship final. In a back-and-forth contest, the Golden Eagles narrowly came out on top to claim the Empire 8 Championship.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Golden Eagles' defense started strong, intercepting a pass to gain good field position early in the first quarter. However, Amarionah Dixon responded with an interception of her own to get the ball back for EC. Hannah Smith completed two passes to Faith Ingber for 31 yards before finding Kylie Hook on a 26-yard touchdown pass to take an early 6–0 lead. As Brockport looked to spark its offense, Hook made another play on the defensive side, intercepting a pass to help set up a Smith rushing touchdown, giving the Soaring Eagles a 12-point lead after one quarter.
Hook recorded her second interception early in the second quarter, but the Golden Eagles responded with a pick-six to cut the deficit in half. After a few scoreless possessions by both teams, Brockport tied the game just before halftime, making it 12–12 at the break.
Brockport opened the second half with a strong offensive drive, finding the end zone on a nine-play, 66-yard march to take its first lead of the game, 20–12. The Soaring Eagles answered right back with a 12-play, 66-yard drive, highlighted by a 28-yard pass to Ingber, before Smith scrambled for an 18-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 20.
As Brockport tried to respond, Dixon intercepted the Golden Eagles' quarterback once again, and the EC offense capitalized as Smith ran 32 yards for a touchdown to pull ahead. Brockport answered the challenge, mixing the run and pass to put together a scoring drive and retake the lead. Elmira's offense could not respond and was forced to punt, but the defense stepped up, forcing a quick Brockport punt to regain possession. However, the Golden Eagles' defense held firm, forcing an Elmira turnover on downs.
Brockport extended its lead with a rushing touchdown with just under two minutes remaining. The Soaring Eagles cut the deficit to three with a quick touchdown drive, highlighted by a long Smith completion to Hook, followed by a Nyla Capen rushing touchdown. Ultimately, EC ran out of time to complete the comeback, as Brockport secured a 36–31 victory.
LEADERS
Offensively, Hannah Smith had a strong game on the ground, scrambling for 116 yards and 3 touchdowns. Faith Ingber caught 7 receptions for 107 yards, while Kylie hook added 95 yards and a touchdown. On the defensive side of the ball, Ingber pulled 13 flags and made 2 pass breakups while Hook and Amarionah Dixon each made two interceptions.
