Elmira, NY – Michael Bryant posted two goals for the Elmira College Soaring Eagles as they defeated the Houghton College Highlanders, 3-1, in men's soccer action Saturday afternoon.
 
Elmira improves to 6-4-3 overall, and 2-0-3 in the Empire 8, which moves them into fourth place in the conference.  Houghton falls to 6-6-2 overall, 2-2-1 in the Empire 8.
 
Coming into today's contest, Bryant ranked 2^nd nationally in NCAA Division III in goals per game.  His two goals today give him 16 goals in 12 contests, good for 1.33 per game. 
 
From the outset the Highlander tried to set the offensive tone.  Ben Lawrence (Marlborough, CT, RHAM High School) created several scoring chances in the game's opening five minutes, but Elmira's Austin Mansell made a pair of diving saves, including one on a free kick from 25 yards out that looked destined for the back of the net.
 
After withstanding Houghton's initial attack, Elmira began to create scoring opportunities of their own.  Over the following three minutes the Soaring Eagles had two goals erased due to an offside call and a foul in the box.
 
With 4:45 remaining in the half Elmira sent a corner kick into the box, which Houghton quickly headed away.  Victor Rosas-Granda recovered the ball for the Soaring Eagles and sent a quick feed back into the box, finding Bryant for a far-post header, sending Elmira into the half with a 1-0 lead.
 
Early in the second half and Elmira feed into the box bounced-off a Houghton defenseman's hand, giving the Soaring Eagles a penalty kick in the 55th minute.  Bryant finished the shot to give the Soaring Eagles a two-goal cushion.
 
Over the next 20 minutes the Highlanders took control, outshooting the Soaring Eagles 9-2.  In the 78^th minute Houghton finally broke through as Tyler Ashley (Landisville, PA, Hempfield) sent a low cross into the Elmira box, where Steven Anderson (Lyndonville, NY, Lyndonville Central) ripped a shot past the keeper.  It was the second goal of the season for Anderson, who has not played in nearly a month and was used sparingly prior to that due to injury.
 
As the Highlanders felt the momentum shift in their favor, they earned four corner kicks in the five minutes following Anderson's goal, but all five were defended without threat to preserve the 2-1 score.
 
With the game coming to a close, Elmira countered in the 89th minute, with a deep ball down the left sideline.  Zach Koller sent a cross to Donte Donegal, who beat one defender off the dribble before passing the ball into the back of the net.
 
For the day, the Highlanders outshot the Soaring Eagles 18-17 and held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Jacob Dunnett (Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Kennebecasis) collected six saves in net for the Highlanders.
 
The Houghton men will have a week to rest before traveling to Alfred University for a critical Empire 8 matchup on Saturday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m.  The Saxons currently hold the #3 slot in the conference standings.