The men’s soccer team prepares to make its fifth straight appearance in the Empire 8 Championship Tournament. The Bombers will face off against the Elmira College Soaring Eagles at 11 a.m. Nov. 6 at Carp Wood Field. If they win, they will play the winner of the Stevens Institute of Technology and Houghton College game at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 7. Staff Writer Alex Wong breaks down the key matchups for each Empire 8 Tournament game.
#1 Ithaca College vs. #4 Elmira College
The Blue and Gold earned the right to host the Empire 8 Tournament by beating Alfred University 1–0 on Oct. 31, vaulting them atop the conference standings with a 6–1 record. The Bombers ended the regular season with a vast turnaround from the beginning of the year, rattling off a streak of five wins in six games.
Elmira ended the season with a 3–1–3 conference record, and early season draws against Empire 8 opponents ended up being the difference maker, as it gave them the two-point advantage over Alfred, good enough for fourth place.
Junior forward Michael Bryant led the conference in goals, netting 18 for the Soaring Eagles. In their only regular season matchup, the Bombers came out on top with a 2–1 overtime win.
Tale of the Tape
Overall Record (Conference Record)
Ithaca College: 7–7–2 (6–1)
Elmira College: 7–6–4 (3–1–3)
Last Five Matches (W=Win, L=Loss, D=Draw)
Ithaca: W 3–0, D 0–0, W 2–1, W 1–0, W 1–0
Elmira: W 3–1, D 1–1, L 1–2, L 0–2, W 1–0
Goals Per Game Average
Ithaca: 1.19
Elmira: 1.88
Goals Against Average
Ithaca: 1.19
Elmira: 1.88
Statistical Leaders – Goals
Ithaca: Junior Midfielder Brandon Thompson – 7 goals
Elmira: Junior Forward Michael Bryant – 18 goals
Statistical Leaders  – Assists
Ithaca: Senior Defender Joseph Dobbins – 3 assists
Elmira: Sophomore Midfielder Tony Barraco – 7 assists
In Net
Ithaca: Junior Zach Jacobsen
Played 15 games, 19 Goals Allowed, 1.20 Goals Allowed Average, 5 Shutouts
Elmira: Senior Austin Mansell
Played 10 games, 14 Goals Allowed, 1.36 Goals Allowed Average, 1 Shutout
#2 Stevens Institute of Technology vs. #3 Houghton College
Stevens was unbeaten in conference play and boasted the Empire 8’s best overall record, but in the end fell one point shy of Ithaca College at the top of the conference standings with one fewer win and two draws. The Ducks led the Empire 8 in goals scored with 47, as well as allowing the fewest goals, conceding just 17. Houghton was a team that won in bunches throughout the regular season, going unbeaten through a five-game stretch in the middle of the season, as well as ending on a three-game win streak. The Highlanders played better on home turf, going 5–1–1 and scoring 15 goals within their friendly confines, versus a 3-4–1 record on the road with nine goals. The squads battled to a 0–0 draw in their regular season matchup.
Tale of the Tape
Overall Record (Conference Record)
Stevens Institute of Technology: 13–3–2 (5–0–2)
Houghton College: 9–6–2 (4–2–1)
Last Five Matches (W=Win, L=Loss, D=Draw)
Stevens: W 4–2, L 0–1, W 3–1, L 3–4, W 6–0
Houghton: W 3–2, L 1–3, W 2–1, W 5–0, W 4–1
Goals Per Game Average
Stevens: 2.61
Houghton: 1.76
Goals Against Average
Stevens: 0.94
Houghton: 1.35
Statistical Leaders – Goals
Stevens: Senior Midfielder Collin Phillips and Senior Forward Carson Pryor – 14 goals each
Houghton: Freshman Forward Ben Lawrence – 7 Goals
Statistical Leaders – Assists
Stevens: Junior Forward Jay Mikula – 8 Assists
Houghton: Senior Defender Tyler Ashley and Sophomore Forward Nic Loew – 5 Assists each
In Net
Stevens: Junior Mike Renna
Played 17 games, 17 Goals Allowed, 0.99 Goals Against Average, 5 Shutouts
Houghton: Junior Jacob Dunnett
Played 17 Games, 23 Goals Allowed, 1.30 Goals Against Average, 5 Shutouts
