Pine Valley, NY – The Elmira College Women's Ice Hockey team completed a comeback to upend visiting Oswego State, 4-3, Sunday afternoon at the Murray Athletic Center. The win improves the Soaring Eagles to 20-4-1 overall and 15-3-0 in ECAC West play, while the loss drops the Lakers to 10-13-2 overall and 8-8-2 in conference competition.

 

Three members of the Astonishing Class of 2012 made their presence felt immediately as just 24 seconds in Katy Walker '12 (Edmonds, WA -- Colorado Select) scored off passes from Alex McPhail '12 (Oakville, ONT -- Toronto Aeros) and Lauren Campbell '12 (Erie, PA -- Chatham University). Oswego State tied the game at one midway through the period on the power play when Megan Howe fed Jocelyn St. Clair for a one-time slap shot from the point. The puck found its way past Soaring Eagle goaltender Lauren Sullivan '13 (Toronto, ONT -- Markham-Stouffville), as she was shielded by a number of bodies in front of net. At the 16:06 mark Lindsay Mitchell '12 (Arnold, MD -- NAHA) fed a pass from the right corner in front of net where McPhail tipped it in at the far post to help EC regain the lead at 2-1. Just over two minutes later the Lakers responded once again on the power play, as Leah McNaughton fed St. Clair who fired a shot that was tipped in by Carly Henderson. The teams went into the locker rooms tied at two, looking to create some separation in the second period.

 

Elmira played fluidly on its power play opportunity early in the second period but was unable to convert. Eight minutes into the frame Howe won a faceoff in the Laker offensive zone and Melissa Seamont was able to squeeze a shot inside the near post to beat Sullivan. The Purple and Gold found the equalizer with just over three minutes remaining in the second stanza. Sullivan fed the puck up to Ella Stewart '14 (Mississauga, ONT -- Notre Dame Hounds) who played it to classmate Tori Charron '14 (Goodwood, ONT -- Aurora Panthers) at the right faceoff circle in Elmira's offensive zone. Charron beat Laker goaltender Catherine Cote glove side to tie the contest at three apiece. The Soaring Eagles took great momentum into the third period, as they took the lead with just 0.2 seconds remaining on the clock in the second period. There was a lot of traffic in front of the net and Campbell poked it home, with Charron and Amber Tirri '13 (Ringwood, NJ -- Wyoming Seminary) recording assists on the play.

 

Oswego State's Henderson drew a five minute major penalty for contact to the head early in the third period but the Soaring Eagles were unable to take advantage of the extended time with an extra attacker, as the score remained 4-3 in favor of Elmira. The Soaring Eagle defense held strong as they didn't allow a goal throughout the third period. Oswego State pulled its goaltender with 52 seconds remaining, but EC's defense continued to apply a strong fore check, holding on for the 4-3 victory.

 

The Purple and Gold outshot the Lakers 30-25 in the contest. Oswego State went 2-for-3 with the extra attacker, while Elmira was 0-for-4 on the power play. Sullivan stopped 22 shots in net for the Soaring Eagles, while Cote made 26 saves for the Lakers.

 

Elmira College honored its five members of the Class of 2012 immediately following the contest. Walker, Mitchell, McPhail, Campbell, and Alex Bresler '12 (Golden, CO -- Colorado Select) all shared special moments during their careers at EC with their families and the fans.  

 

Elmira 4 Oswego State 3