Announcement
EFA Doesn't Allow a Goal In 3-way Friendly Scrimmages
The Elmira Free Academy boys varsity soccer team held Elmira Notre Dame and Elmira Southside scoreless through 35 minutes of action respectively.
END was the first match-up for the Devils and a veteran Crusader squad showed a young EFA team a possession style game they were not prepared for. Numerous times, Notre Dame moved the ball through the midfield as EFA consistantly didn't provide their pressure defender with any cover. However, for as well as Notre Dame was moving the ball, the Academy defense didn't allow any significant scoring opportunities. About 15 minutes into the match, it was senior Frankie Mannino who finally got EFA on the board as he collected a ball over the top from sophomore left back Nick Lian. Mannino controlled the ball brilliantly and beat Elmira Notre Dame goalkeeper Alex Todd to give the Devils the 1-0 advantage as that is all they would need.
The second match came against crosstown rival Elmira Southside. Southside came out in an attacking formation as two of their more skilled player sat at the top of their standard 4-4-2. EFA demonstrated good defensive balance during the counter attack opportunities of SHS and managed to keep the offensive-minded Hornets off the board. Again, it was Blue Devils' captain Mannino that opened the scoring for EFA as he beat three Southside defenders before banking the ball off the near post and in to give EFA a 1-0 lead. Minutes later, Mannino struck again as he gained a great through pass from junior Charlie Anderson to give the Devils the final score of 2-0.
Elmira Free Academy will open their season on Saturday, August 31st @ Horseheads High School. The game time is 11:00 am.
