Elmira, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly men's soccer team fell 2-1 against the Elmira College Soaring Eagles on the road. Owen Champion scored for the Wildcats in the 18th minute, while goalkeeper Tyler Barth turned in a strong performance with multiple key saves. With the loss, SUNY Poly moves to 2-4-1 on the season. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Elmira generated early pressure, earning a corner in the 6th minute before finding the opening goal in the 12th. Daniel Mercedes set up Jose Navea Corporan, who finished to give the Soaring Eagles a 1-0 lead.

SUNY Poly responded almost immediately. Just three minutes later, Owen Champion slotted home a finish from Jael Casimir to tie the match at 1-1. Champion nearly added another in the 17th minute, but his shot went just wide.

Elmira retook the lead in the 19th minute when Navea Corporan struck for his second of the half, making it 2-1. The Wildcats looked to equalize before halftime, with shots from JohnPaul Jerome and LaEh Soe forcing Elmira's defense to stay sharp.

In the 26th minute, Barth denied a close-range chance from Valentino Aguilera to keep the scoreline close heading into the break.

The second half featured a back-and-forth battle. SUNY Poly pressed forward with chances from Dominick Spychalski, Jerome, and Casimir, but Elmira goalkeeper Juan Carlos Cruz Gandia was up to the task. Elmira nearly extended their advantage in the 75th minute when Aadne Aarstad's header clanged off the crossbar.

Barth came up clutch again in the final stretch with saves on Aguilera and Ole Esselman, but the Wildcats couldn't find a late equalizer and the Soaring Eagles would claim the 2-1 victory.