Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's soccer team fell 2-0 at home to Elmira College. Despite a strong defensive effort from goalkeeper Rylee Unebasami, who tallied several key saves, the Wildcats were unable to break through offensively in a match that featured chances at both ends. With the loss, SUNY Poly moves to 1-5-1 on the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Elmira applied early pressure, forcing Unebasami into action in the 13th and 20th minutes with shots from Tierney Krawczyk and Bella Thomas. The Soaring Eagles broke through in the 24th minute when Faith Ingber finished off a chance to put her side ahead 1-0. Just three minutes later, Ingber struck again, doubling the Elmira lead to 2-0.

Poly looked for an answer late in the half, generating looks from Aubree Smykla and Brooke Bush, but Elmira goalkeeper Sarah Cantrell stood her ground. Unebasami kept the Wildcats within striking distance with another save in the 42nd minute, sending the game into halftime at 2-0.

The Wildcats came out determined in the second half, creating a flurry of opportunities. Taylor Poovey and Kara Mertz each tested Cantrell early, while Bush continued to pressure the back line with multiple shots from distance. In the 80th minute, Abigail Hughes nearly brought Poly within one, rattling the post with a strike from the top of the box.

Elmira countered with chances of their own, but Unebasami was sharp, denying shots from Dani Cruz and Krawczyk to keep the scoreline intact. Despite late efforts from Hughes and Madison Altamura in the closing minutes, the Wildcats couldn't find the back of the net as Elmira held on for the 2-0 victory.

UP NEXT: The Wildcats hit the road for a weeknight battle against conference foe Hartwick College on September 24th at 6:00 P.M.