Could wait until after today's game to give some background on the Empire 8 representative, but some interesting notes/stats heading into the reverse fixture of the 2023 E8 championship.
FISHER:
-GK Christian Burkhart currently leads the nation in shutouts (12). Made some game/season altering saves down the stretch, including an incredible double save (from point blank & quickly reacted to punch the ball away from a tap-in) to preserve a 1-0 lead late against Nazareth to secure the top seed. Burkhart also stopped two PKs against Brockport to send the Cardinals to the Championship game.
-Fisher is 8-1-1 since the beginning of October. They rarely concede clear cut chances (3 goals conceded in that stretch) but are inconsistent up front.
-Their hot streak came with 5th year midfielder Matt Gentile (2021 COVID Spring E8 Tournament MVP) in the lineup. Fisher is 7-1 with Gentile & 3-3-5 without him. Important to note that 4/5 games with 2+ goals came with Gentile playing, but he has missed the previous two matches.
-Fisher boasts an experienced lineup and have shifted from their deep rotation late in the season using only 12 field players. With Gentile, they utilized 11 Grads/5th years/Seniors (including GK), 1 Junior, and 1 Sophomore. They have not replaced Gentile other than a defensive substitute late to preserve a lead.
ELMRIA:
-Elmira entered the season with immense uncertainty after winning the E8 title in 2023. They lost 2023 E8 POY/2nd-team All-Region Forward Martin Harguindey, 1st-Team All-E8/3rd-team All-Region defender Kerfalla Toure, and 2023 COY Lamine Balde (who left just weeks prior to the start of the season).
-Similar to 2023, the Soaring Eagles struggled in non-conference play this season going 0-4-2 (compared to 1-6-1 in 2023).
-Elmira lost 0-3 at Fisher in their first E8 game on 9/14. The Soaring Eagles have not won a game at Fisher since 2009.
-Since their loss to Fisher, Elmira has scored in 13/14 games. In nine of those matches, they have scored 2+ goals.
This game will come down to who can stick to their game plan. Fisher played an even match against Brockport and were arguably lucky to not concede a PK with about 15 minutes left in regulation. Brockport took a firm hold of the momentum before Fisher almost finished the game in OT. Elmira overcame a 1-0 deficit vs. Nazareth with two quick goals (less than one minute apart) in the 65th minute and have looked like they have the same belief that lead them to the Empire 8 title last season.
BOTTOM LINE:
It is Fisher's game to lose. Fisher's athleticism will likely be too much for Elmira to handle. They will want to assert themselves early to avoid Elmira believing they can pull off a repeat. If Elmira does get multiple goals, Fisher will need to switch their game plan to earn the result. It is a blessing for anybody who watches that this season's Championship will not be played on a horrid surface like it was last year.
Although they are not deep, Fisher could cause problems for an NCAA Tournament opponent if they are able to continue their shutout streak. With that being said, they have struggled out of conference against average and below-average competition. Regardless of who wins, they will once again play against a top 10 opponent and would do well to keep the match respectable.
FISHER:
-GK Christian Burkhart currently leads the nation in shutouts (12). Made some game/season altering saves down the stretch, including an incredible double save (from point blank & quickly reacted to punch the ball away from a tap-in) to preserve a 1-0 lead late against Nazareth to secure the top seed. Burkhart also stopped two PKs against Brockport to send the Cardinals to the Championship game.
-Fisher is 8-1-1 since the beginning of October. They rarely concede clear cut chances (3 goals conceded in that stretch) but are inconsistent up front.
-Their hot streak came with 5th year midfielder Matt Gentile (2021 COVID Spring E8 Tournament MVP) in the lineup. Fisher is 7-1 with Gentile & 3-3-5 without him. Important to note that 4/5 games with 2+ goals came with Gentile playing, but he has missed the previous two matches.
-Fisher boasts an experienced lineup and have shifted from their deep rotation late in the season using only 12 field players. With Gentile, they utilized 11 Grads/5th years/Seniors (including GK), 1 Junior, and 1 Sophomore. They have not replaced Gentile other than a defensive substitute late to preserve a lead.
ELMRIA:
-Elmira entered the season with immense uncertainty after winning the E8 title in 2023. They lost 2023 E8 POY/2nd-team All-Region Forward Martin Harguindey, 1st-Team All-E8/3rd-team All-Region defender Kerfalla Toure, and 2023 COY Lamine Balde (who left just weeks prior to the start of the season).
-Similar to 2023, the Soaring Eagles struggled in non-conference play this season going 0-4-2 (compared to 1-6-1 in 2023).
-Elmira lost 0-3 at Fisher in their first E8 game on 9/14. The Soaring Eagles have not won a game at Fisher since 2009.
-Since their loss to Fisher, Elmira has scored in 13/14 games. In nine of those matches, they have scored 2+ goals.
This game will come down to who can stick to their game plan. Fisher played an even match against Brockport and were arguably lucky to not concede a PK with about 15 minutes left in regulation. Brockport took a firm hold of the momentum before Fisher almost finished the game in OT. Elmira overcame a 1-0 deficit vs. Nazareth with two quick goals (less than one minute apart) in the 65th minute and have looked like they have the same belief that lead them to the Empire 8 title last season.
BOTTOM LINE:
It is Fisher's game to lose. Fisher's athleticism will likely be too much for Elmira to handle. They will want to assert themselves early to avoid Elmira believing they can pull off a repeat. If Elmira does get multiple goals, Fisher will need to switch their game plan to earn the result. It is a blessing for anybody who watches that this season's Championship will not be played on a horrid surface like it was last year.
Although they are not deep, Fisher could cause problems for an NCAA Tournament opponent if they are able to continue their shutout streak. With that being said, they have struggled out of conference against average and below-average competition. Regardless of who wins, they will once again play against a top 10 opponent and would do well to keep the match respectable.