Box Score College Hockey Stats Box Score

Northfield, VT -- Hopes of a second consecutive NCAA Championship for the Elmira College women's ice hockey team came to an abrupt end this afternoon as the No. 3 ranked Soaring Eagles fell in overtime to No. 2 ranked Norwich University, 2-1 in the NCAA Quarterfinals. 

It was obvious entering today's contest that the matchup between the Soaring Eagles and the Cadets was going to be a battle as the two teams have spent the majority of the season ranked inside the top four.  Additionally, today's matchup marked the third meeting between the two teams, each winning a game on their home ice. 

Elmira was nearly doubled-up in shots on goal today, 37-19.  However, the play between the pipes by Lisa Marshall '14 made all the difference as the senior made big play after big play, totaling 35 saves in today's game, allowing the Soaring Eagles to stay within striking distance of the Cadets. 

Although the first period ended without a goal by either team, there were however ample scoring chances for both teams.  Norwich applied the pressure early as Marshall made three saves in the opening minute of play.  Elmira on the other hand racked up their shots on two power play chances but would be unable to put one in the back of the net.

Of the teams' 16 total first period shots, there were two quality scoring chances.  For Norwich, Tori Charron had a shot ring off the crossbar with about eight and a half minutes to play and with the period coming to a close, Elmira's Ashley Ryan '15 sent a pass from behind the goal to Erin Weston '15 in the slot, who snapped a shot only to see it smothered by Norwich goalie Taylor Fairchild.

Neither team was able to break through in the second period as the game remained scoreless through 40 minutes of action.  EC's Marshall made a total of 13 saves in the second period, including a potential go-ahead goal at the 18:03 mark when she denied Norwich on 1-on-1 rush. 

Elmira had their chances in the second period as well, their best one coming in the slot when Tanis Lamoureux '14 sent a wrist shot off the facemask of Fairchild.  Then, with 2:37 left in the period, Lamoureux was called for a tripping penalty, giving the Cadets their first power play opportunity of the game.  On the penalty kill, Marshall made four saves, most of which she made with heavy traffic in front of her, keeping the game at 0-0 entering the final period of regulation.

The Soaring Eagles would strike first, scoring 6:59 into the third period.  Elmira's goal was a result of pure hustle as a diving effort by Johanna Eidensten '17 allowed Olivia Nystrom '16 to steal the puck in the neutral zone and carry it into Elmira's offensive zone. 

In the offensive zone, Nystrom sent a shot on goal from the left side, which would rebound out to the point where Anna Tude '17 would collect it, spin around, and bury the game's opening goal.  Nystrom and Eidensten were credited with assists on the Tude goal. 

Then, with 5:46 to play in the period, Norwich's Haley Gibson evened things up as her backhand effort beat Marshall through traffic, bringing the game to 1-1. 

Elmira had a chance to reclaim the lead when a puck sent from the defensive zone made its way through neutral ice to Ashton Hogan '15, who would have a one-on-one with Fairchild.  Unfortunately, Hogan's attempt missed to the left, keeping things even. 

With the period coming to a close, a miscue by Elmira's bench led to the Soaring Eagles being called for too many players on the ice, giving the Cadets an extra skater for the remainder of regulation.  However, two big saves by Marshall in the closing minute kept Norwich off the scoreboard, forcing an overtime period. 

The Soaring Eagles would successfully kill Norwich's power play in the overtime period and and following the Norwich power play, Marshall robbed the Cadets of a game-winning goal at the 17:08 mark when she sprawled out to make a kick save on shot from point blank range.  However, Norwich's quality look was a sign of things to come.

Less than two minutes later from Marshall's phenomenal save, Norwich would send a puck from their defensive zone sky high.  Elmira's defenders tried to make a play on the puck, only to see it slip past them, giving the Cadets a 3-on-1 rush.  On the odd-man rush, Charron would come through as the hero for Norwich as she buried the game-winning goal, sending the Cadets to the NCAA Tournament Semifinals, their first semifinal appearance since the 2011-12 season.

For Elmira's six graduating seniors, they have most certainly left their mark on the Elmira College women's ice hockey program.  In their four years, they have gone 82-25-5, recording three 20-win seasons, and brought home Elmira's third NCAA Championship in program history.