Elmira, NY -- Elmira College Athletics wrapped its final week of competition ahead of the final exam period and the beginning of Winter Break this past week. Three varsity squads were in action, as men's ice hockey and both basketball programs took on challenging slates over the week. The schedule slows down, as Term I winds to conclusion; however, it is never too early to start marking your calendars so you can stay up to date with EC Athletics over the upcoming Winter Break. Without further ado, dig into the final Soaring Eagles Weekly of 2015!
 
Headlines for the Month Ahead
 
Women's Basketball to Host RIT Over Winter Break
The Elmira College women's basketball team will play the final home contest of the 2015 calendar year when it welcomes Rochester Institute of Technology to Speidel Gymnasium on Wednesday, December 30th. Opening tip-off between the Soaring Eagles and the Tigers is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
 
Men's Basketball Heads to Salem State Holiday Tournament
The Elmira College men's basketball team will also be in action over the holidays when it heads to Massachusetts for the Salem State Holiday Tournament over December 29-30. The Soaring Eagles will open the two-day event on Tuesday, December 29th, when they take on Wesleyan University in a 6:00 p.m. showdown. Elmira will wrap-up the two-day event and the 2015 calendar year the following evening when it squares off with Endicott College at 5:00 p.m.
 
Women's Ice Hockey Kicks Off the New Year
The second-ranked Elmira College women's ice hockey team will kick off the athletic department's 2016 slate, as the first team to see action in the New Year. The Soaring Eagles return from a three-week hiatus to face Williams College at the Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena on Saturday, January 2nd. Opening faceoff is slated for 3:00 p.m.
 
A Look Back at the Week That Was…
 
Men's Ice Hockey Posts 2-1 Record in Busy Week
The Elmira College men's ice hockey team has been on quite the roll over recent weeks. The Soaring Eagles showed little signs of slowing down in going 2-1 over their three games in five days stretch this past week. Elmira opened the week with a thrilling come-from-behind victory over SUNY Potsdam at the Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena. Trailing 3-1 over halfway through the second period, senior captain Brian Depp '16 sparked a furious comeback. He would finish with two goals and an assist, as Elmira rallied for a 5-3 victory over the Bears. EC returned to action over the weekend when it hit the road for a back-to-back in the Nutmeg State. The Soaring Eagles broke open the contest with a pair of shorthanded goals by Carter Shinkaruk '16 in the second period, as the team went on for a 6-1 rout of Wesleyan University on Friday night. Unfortunately, Elmira's winning streak would end at five games the following night, as nationally-ranked Trinity College was able to squeak past the Soaring Eagles in overtime by a score of 2-1. Jarryd ten Vaanholt '16 tallied the lone goal for Elmira with a power-play marker in the first period. With the 2-1-0 week, Elmira carries a 6-5-0 overall record into 2016.
 
For more information on EC Men's Ice Hockey, please visit the following link: CLICK HERE.
 
Women's Basketball Splits Pair of Contests
The Elmira College women's basketball team continued its up-and-down start to the season. The Soaring Eagles opened the week with a difficult outing at SUNY Cortland on Wednesday night. The Purple and Gold found little traction against the Red Dragons' stifling defense, shooting just 15-of-57 from the field and 2-of-18 from beyond the arc, en route to a season-low output of 37 points. Elmira would rally back for a nice 61-53 victory when it continued the road swing over the weekend against North Country foe SUNY Potsdam. Danielle Clearly '18 once again put in a stellar performance, finishing with 25 points and nine rebounds. Meghan Loya '16 also chipped in her first double-double of the season in the win, posting 12 points and 12 boards.
 
For more information on EC Women's Basketball, please visit the following link: CLICK HERE.
 
Men's Basketball Falls at SUNY Cortland
The Elmira College men's basketball team had a relatively light week with just one contest, as the team played the backend of the doubleheader at SUNY Cortland on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, the Red Dragons proved to be too much for the Soaring Eagles, pulling out to a nine-point halftime lead. Elmira would cut the deficit to just three points two separate times in the second half, but each time Cortland would respond with a run to hold off the comeback bid. Hayden Harkins '18 continued to be lights out from distance, finishing 5-of-10 beyond the arc for a team-high 17 points. Gino Leonardi '16 and Justin Porrett '19 posted solid games in the backcourt, finishing with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
 
For more information on EC Men's Basketball, please visit the following link: CLICK HERE.
 
The Month Ahead…
 
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Men's Basketball vs. Wesleyan University (Salem State Tournament), 6:00 p.m.
 
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Women's Basketball vs. Rochester Institute of Technology, 3:00 p.m.
Men's Basketball vs. Endicott College (Salem State Tournament), 5:00 p.m.
 
Saturday, January 2, 2015
Women's Ice Hockey vs. Williams College, 3:00 p.m.
 
Bold Indicates Home Contest