(Canton, N.Y.)- Despite a spirited second-half effort and a season-high 11 saves from freshman William Banahene (Rochester, N.Y.) the SUNY Canton men’s soccer team fell to Elmira College 3-1 Monday night at home.

Banahene had six saves in the first half and five more in the second for the Roos, who were playing their sixth ranked team this season in one of the most demanding schedules in the nation. The Roos are ranked 18th in the USCAA Coaches Poll and Elmira is 9th in the NSCAA East Region.

SUNY Canton fell behind 1-0 at halftime but started to shift the momentum of the contest their way in the second half generating numerous good scoring chances.

The first opportunity came seven minutes into the second half. Sophomore Eric Lopez (Holbrook, N.Y.) went one-on-one with a Soaring Eagles defender and fired a shot from 12 yards out that just sailed high over the crossbar.

In the 59th minute junior Keelon Joseph (Malabar, Arima, Trinidad) tracked down a nice lead pass deep into the right corner and played the ball back to sophomore Kevaughn John (Arima, Trinidad and Tobago) who fired a quick cross towards goal. The ball deflected off the hands of Elmira goalie Jordan Dougherty and dropped right in front of the goal line. Sophomore Austin Johnston (Auburn, N.Y.) got tied up with a defender as he crashed the goal and couldn’t get a good shot at the open net and the Soaring Eagles were able to clear the ball out of danger.

Elmira took a 2-0 advantage a minute later off a goal from Andre Germano.

The Roos (3-6-1) kept pressing and produced three outstanding chances in a five-minute span midway through the second half. In the 66th minute freshman Antonio Kadylak (Johnson City, N.Y.) made a terrific strike from 25 yards out that forced Dougherty to make a diving save. On the ensuing corner kick the ball was played out to sophomore Shane Powell (Yonkers, N.Y.) and his rocket from 30 yards went high. With 16 ½ minutes left in the second half John blasted a shot on goal that had designs of curling in the left side of the goal. But the ball caromed off the post and away from the net.

Elmira scored their final goal in the 88th minute but again the Roos responded getting on the board with 1:41 on the clock. Sophomore Francesco Cardillo (Tonawanda, N.Y.) headed in a loose ball that bounced once inside the area as the Soaring Eagles failed to clear. Senior Eric Cline (Westbury, N.Y.) was credited with the assist.

Dougherty finished with five saves for Elmira.

SUNY Canton hits the road for their next three games starting on Sunday, Oct. 7 when they play at Lyndon State College in Vermont.