Women's Soccer Wrap-Up

 Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College Women’s Soccer team came into the 2011 season looking for growth. Experience, success, lessons learned and growth is exactly what followed. After a rebuilding phase last season the Soaring Eagles looked to their roster of 17 returning players and seven new ones for a year that would shock, surprise, and succeed. For the first time in quite a while the program was fueled with talented upper classmen who wanted to leave their mark. The addition of seven fresh faces helped transform this team and program into a contender in the Empire 8 Conference. “Coming into this program less than two years ago; my goals have been sequential in order to help the growth of this program. I am confident that we have the tools and personality to win. This season proved that we are on the right track and our dedication, hard work and team chemistry are a recipe for success,” stated Coach Ashley Bingaman

Starting the season off on a strong note the Soaring Eagles won five of their first eight games. “Getting early wins this season allowed our team’s confidence to grow and individual players to gain the experience they needed,” remarked Coach Bingaman. Heading into the Empire 8 Conference schedule the Purple and Gold knew they needed to come away with a 4-3 record to make it to the playoffs. “Our goal was to be in the conference tournament, but in order to be where we wanted we needed to make sure we were knocking on the door all season,” commented Bingaman.

Playing Alfred University for the first conference game the team knew they needed a win. An early goal by Alfred didn’t deter the Soaring Eagles as they fought back and won the game 2-1. A week later the team would travel to Hartwick College for another conference match up. This time playing the Hawks was a meaningful and inspiring game. No one on the current roster had ever beaten Hartwick College. That all changed on September 28th when the Soaring Eagles came away victorious.



Heading into October the Elmira College Women’s Soccer team would face many challenges as the strength of schedule increased. A win over conference opponent Utica College put the team in good position, but a disappointing loss the following day to the Cardinals of St. John Fisher left the team with many challenges. The final four games of the season came against regionally and nationally-ranked opponents. In order to make it into Empire 8 or ECAC playoffs the team would need to beat half of these opponents. After tough fought matches, including a 2-1 loss to nationally-ranked Ithaca College, the Soaring Eagles hopes of post-season play were out of reach.

“The improvement from last season to this season was great strides for our program. Not just the wins-loss record but the overall level of play and competition improved greatly,” said Coach Bingaman. “If we continue on this path we will be a team who challenges for post season on a regular basis.”

The improvement of the Elmira College Women’s Soccer Team is more than just the record shows. In one season the group scored more goals and allowed fewer. This season the team finished in fifth place in the Empire 8 conference compared to seventh place one year ago. Earning recognition for their efforts five Soaring Eagles were named to the All-Conference Honorable Mention team. The Soaring Eagles should be very proud of the 2011 season and excited for the future. 2012 will be a new journey as Houghton College joins the conference. The Soaring Eagles have made ambitions goals for the off-season that will help propel the team forward into the future.