STAC BOYS' SOCCER: ELMIRA USES LATE GOALS TO RALLY PAST HORSEHEADS (24 PHOTOS) (2021-09-17)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
HORSEHEADS — Coaches always talk about playing until the final buzzer in sports.

The Elmira boys’ soccer team took that seriously on Thursday in a 3-1 win over Horseheads.

All three Elmira goals came in the final minute of a half as they rallied for the win.

Jimmy Haberstroh had a penalty kick goal for Horseheads midway through the first half to give the Blue Raiders the lead.

It looked like Horseheads may go into the half with the lead, but with 59 seconds left in the half Phil Nierstead scored off an assist from Talon Wise to tie the game.

The game stayed tied until the final minute of regulation when Wise scored on a free kick from 27 yards out that took a deflection off the Horseheads wall and found the right corner of the net.

With 20 seconds left in the game the Express added a goal by Will Jackson as the Horseheads offense pulled forward to try and tie the game.

Horseheads won the battle of shots in the game, but Sam Brennan-Buseck and Jacob Rose combined for 14 saves in net for the Express. Carson Smith had seven saves for the Blue Raiders.

“The kids were ecstatic with the late results and went into a wild celebration after both late goals,” Elmira coach Derek Hamilton said. “Getting a win against a AA rival, on the road, that late in the game is always exciting.”

The bench provided a big spark for the Express in their victory.

“Phil Nierstead came in and gave us some really quality minutes and got us started,” Hamilton said. “Contributing as aa team is what will make us better going forward.”

While Horseheads finished with more shots in the game, the Elmira defense did a good job of keeping them off the board after the penalty kick.

“Our baks were great tonight,” Hamilton said. “Limiting scoring opportunities and only conceding the PK.”