Elmira District Boys Soccer

www.startgazette.com - Staff Report - 10/7/11 

Little Red Loses First Game of Season

ITHACA -- The Elmira boys soccer team came up with the biggest win in its brief history Thursday night, handing previously unbeaten Ithaca a 1-0 loss in a Southern Tier Athletic Conference game.

Curtis Grant scored the only goal about 10 minutes into the second half and Express goalkeeper Corey Swarthout made 14 saves for the shutout as Elmira improved to 2-9.

Ithaca, ranked 20th in Class AA by the New York State Sportswriters Association, fell to 7-1-1.

"We've been playing teams close, been playing them tough all season, but we haven't been able to get wins," Elmira coach Derek Hamilton said. "Hopefully, knocking off a quality program like Ithaca will help jump-start our season."

Grant's goal came after a free kick by teammate Matt Terpack. The ball went off the head of an Ithaca player and Little Red goalie Mark Demarest tried to knock the ball over the net, but it hit the crossbar and Grant kicked in the rebound for his third goal of the season.

Hamilton said his team's zonal defense limited Ithaca's offensive chances, though the Little Red ended up with a 14-5 advantage in shots on goal.

"We truly played for each other today," Hamilton said. "We won a ton of 50-50 tackles in midfield. We looked to move forward when we could and played good defense. The second defender was always there to cover the other's back."

The Express won despite being without junior forward Alex Varkatzas, perhaps the team's top player.

"A marquee win like this will hopefully show some of the younger guys we can play with anybody," Hamilton said.

Elmira Scoring - Grant (1-0) 

Shots/Corners - Elmira (5-3), Ithaca (11-5)

Saves - Elmira (Swarthout - 11), Ithaca (Demarest - 4)

HORSEHEADS -- Horseheads scored the only three goals of the second half to defeat visiting Elmira 4-1 in Southern Tier Athletic Conference West boys soccer Tuesday.

George Komarc paced the Blue Raiders (3-5-2) with two goals and an assist. Hunter Kaysa added a goal and an assist.

Alex Varkatzas scored for Elmira (1-9), which tied the game 1-1 with 3 minutes, 52 seconds left in the first half.

Komarc broke the deadlock by lofting a shot from about 25 yards away barely past the reach of Elmira goalie Corey Swarthout 15:09 into the second half.

"I was just trying to get a shot on goal," Komarc said of his second goal, which he booted over several defenders into the net.

Horseheads added an insurance goal when Benjamin Morse converted off of a rebound after Kaysa's kick was blocked from in close with 26:41 left to play.

Kaysa made it 4-1 by scoring off of a corner kick with 2:46 remaining.

"It's about time. We've struggled scoring goals," Horseheads coach Curt Grottenthaler said, noting his team had been battling through illness and injuries.

Elmira had some good opportunities after Morse's goal.

Jacob Coons got off a good shot that Horseheads goalie Ian Boor stopped, one of his eight saves.

Alex Tuyul came even closer, as his attempt hit the right post with about eight minutes remaining.

"If that ball goes in, it swings momentum," Elmira coach Derek Hamilton said.

Swarthout finished with 13 saves, and he came up with the ball twice early when the match was still scoreless to prevent onrushing Horseheads midfielder Connor Jansen from scoring.

"I thought it was an evenly played match except for the first 10 minutes of the second half," Hamilton said. "We broke down mentally, lost our assignments."

Horseheads hopes Tuesday's results leads to better things. "It's a step in the right direction," Grottenthaler said.

Komarc's take: "We can take this momentum to the sectionals."

Elmira Scoring - Varkatzas (1-0), Warrick (0-1)

Horseheads Scoring - Komarc (2-1), Morse (1-0), Kaysa (1-1)

Shots/Corners - Horseheads (7-5), Elmira (6-1)

Saves - Elmira (Swarthout - 3), Horseheads (Boor - 4)