ELMIRA, N.Y. (October 14, 2017)  – Freshman Jacob Curtis headed home a ball in the 32nd minute for his first collegiate goal as the Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team blanked Elmira College 2-0 Saturday in an Empire 8 Conference match.

After junior Daniel Aversano's corner kick was headed out of immediate danger by an Elmira defender, Curtis used his 6-foot-3 frame to rise above the pack on the weak side and head the ball into a wide-open net for his first career point. 

Junior Aaron Henry made a pair of saves in earning his fifth clean sheet of the season for the Ducks, who improved to 8-4-2 on the year and 4-0-1 in E8 play.

Jacob Mattice made six saves for the Soaring Eagles, who fell to 3-9-1 on the year and 2-3 in league play.

With two league matches on the schedule, Stevens has secured a place in the conference championship and can finish no lower than third. Elmira fell into fifth place in the standings and would be on the outside of the playoffs if they began today.

Pivotal Point

• Curtis' tally gave the Ducks a 1-0 advantage, but the outcome was still very much up for debate late in the second half.
• After holding Elmira without a shot in the first half, Elmira began to find some rhythm, firing seven shots over the first 25 minutes of play in the second half, although only two were on net.
• The Ducks returned to their clamp-down defensive ways, holding Elmira without a shot over the final 20 minutes.
• Junior Andrew Masur scored his second goal of the season in the 90th minute, scoring from 18 yards out on a feed from classmate Haddy Abdelhady.

Inside the Numbers

• A tight defense prevented Elmira from attempting a shot over the first 45 minutes. The Ducks finished with a 17-6 edge in shots.
• Stevens held a 13-2 edge in corner kicks. 
• Henry remains second in the conference with an .898 goals against average. A showdown with the conference leader, Nazareth's Brian Wilkin awaits next Saturday.
• The 17 shots were the lowest team total in the last three matches.

Unsung Heroes

• Curtis and junior Haddy Abdelhady were recognized for their contributions to the victory. Curtis was lauded for his first collegiate tally and Abdelhady was singled out for playing an excellent game in central midfield.

From the Sidelines

• "Excellent result on the road. It was a tremendous team effort."

Up Next

• A non-conference fixture with No. 10 Rutgers-Newark is next on the schedule. It will be the team's final match of the season outside of E8 play.

Facebook: "Like" Stevens Athletics         
Twitter: @stevensducks
Instagram: @stevensducks
Snapchat: ducks_athletics