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Plattsburgh, NY -- For the second year in a row, the Elmira College women's ice hockey team leaves the Stafford Ice Arena in Plattsburgh, NY with a runner-up finish in the ECAC West Tournament. The Soaring Eagles rallied from two one-goal deficits to take a 3-2 lead early in the third period, however, back-to-back goals from Plattsburgh State gave the Cardinals their second consecutive ECAC West Championship and fourth title overall.

Similar to the two regular season contests between these two storied programs, Plattsburgh State held a decisive edge in shots on goal. In fact, it was remarkable that the Purple and Gold were in a position to win today's title game as EC was outshot 43-20. Lisa Marshall '14 put forth a tremendous effort between the pipes, making 39 saves for Elmira which gives her a combined 132 saves in the three games against Plattsburgh this season.

The Soaring Eagles were one of a few teams to get to Plattsburgh State goaltender, and newly crowned ECAC West Player of the Year, Sydney Aveson this season and that trend continued tonight. EC netted three goals against the senior, a season-high for Aveson, who is the nation's leader in goals against average, save percentage, and shutouts. But unfortunately for the Purple and Gold, it was Aveson's Cardinals that came out on top in today's contest which featured the top two teams in the ECAC West as well as the top two teams in the nation according to the most recent USCHO poll.

For only the sixth time this season, the Soaring Eagles were not the first to get on the scoreboard as Plattsburgh State found the back of the net just over nine minutes into the contest. It would be the Cardinals' Giovanna Senese landing the first blow in this heavyweight bout as her goal, which was assisted by Chelsea VanGlahn, gave Plattsburgh a 1-0 lead with 10:56 remaining in the opening period.

EC did not waste any time evening things up as Ashley Ryan '15 countered with a goal of her own just 55 seconds later. Ryan's unassisted goal, her 15th of the season, silenced the large pro-Plattsburgh crowd on hand, at least until the end of the first period as Elmira and Plattsburgh went into the first intermission tied 1-1.

The Cardinals went on the attack to start the second period and retook the lead just 1:35 in when Alyssa Parke netted her 13th goal of the season. Plattsburgh continued to cling to their one-goal lead, keeping EC's potent offense at bay, but the second of the Cardinals' two penalties in the second period proved to be costly for the number one team in the nation.

It would be rookie Anna Tude '17, in the biggest game of her career thus far, who would capitalize on Elmira's second power play opportunity of the game with 5:24 to play in the second period. Tude, who received passes from Erin Weston '15 and Ella Stewart '14, finished off the scoring play to knot the game up at two goals apiece.

The Cardinals were handed a great opportunity to go back in front after Phoebe Piku '16 was whistled for a holding penalty with 2:43 to play in the second period, putting their number seven nationally ranked power play unit on the ice. The Soaring Eagles, however, had other ideas as EC's third ranked penalty kill unit, who entered today's game having killed 55 of their opponent's last 56 power play opportunities, made a huge defensive stand. With Plattsburgh's threat neutralized and the game tied 2-2 at the end of two periods, Elmira turned their attention towards the third and final period.

EC's heart and desire to win Elmira's first ECAC West championship since the 2009-10 season showed in the early goings of the third period as the Soaring Eagles seemed faster and stronger on the ice coming out of the locker rooms despite having already played 40 minutes of hard-fought, fast-paced hockey. Elmira's determination paid off just 3:41 into the third period as Weston gave the Purple and Gold their first lead of the contest.

Weston's goal came off a routine 2-on-2 rush which was initiated by Tanis Lamoureux '14. Lamoureux fed the puck to Weston as both crossed into EC's offensive zone and watched as Weston fired a shot on net. Weston's shot, which initially was sent towards the left side of the net, was redirected by a Plattsburgh defender who had attempted to block the shot and went flying towards the right post. The puck bounced off the inside of the post and into the back of the net, giving the Soaring Eagles the 3-2 lead.

Elmira's lead, unfortunately, did not last very long as Plattsburgh answered with back-to-back goals just a few minutes later. Shannon Stewart was able to tie the game with 12:57 left in regulation after beating Marshall on a one-on-one opportunity and her teammate, Tyne Gove, followed just 2:45 later with a goal of her own. Gove, who was named the 2014 ECAC West Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, finished a one-timer in front of the net to give the Cardinals the 4-3 advantage.

Elmira had a few quality opportunities down the stretch, including one golden scoring chance from Ryan, but Aveson made the stops needed to keep her team in front. The Soaring Eagles pulled Marshall for an extra attacker with 47 seconds left in regulation, but EC was unable to get the overtime-forcing goal as the horn sounded with the scoreboard reading 4-3 in favor of Plattsburgh State.

Despite the loss, Elmira was well represented on the ECAC West All-Tournament team, placing three skaters on the team. Lamoureux, Weston, and Brooke Wilgosh '15 were each named to the All-Tournament Team for their performance over the weekend as the trio combined to score four of EC's six goals recorded in the semifinals and finals while also adding three assists for seven total points.

Having lost out on the ECAC West's autobid into the NCAA Division III Tournament, it is now a waiting game for the Soaring Eagles to see if the women get a chance to defend their national title as their fate rests in the hands of the NCAA selection committee. This is a familiar spot for many of the current Elmira players, however, as EC faced the exact scenario last season. The Soaring Eagles earned the final at-large bid into the 2013 NCAA Tournament and proceeded to bring home the program's third national title nonetheless.

The 2014 NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Selection Show is scheduled for Monday, March 10th at 10:00 a.m. It will be at that time that the Purple and Gold will see if their strong 2013-14 season will continue next weekend in the NCAA Quarterfinals.

2014 ECAC West Conference All-Tournament Team
Forward – Erin Weston '15, Elmira
Forward – Tanis Lamoureux '14, Elmira
Forward – Shannon Stewart, Plattsburgh
Defense – Brooke Wilgosh '15, Elmira
Defense – Alyssa Parke, Plattsburgh
Goalie – Sydney Aveson, Plattsburgh
Most Outstanding Player – Tyne Gove, Plattsburgh