ELMIRA STATS	UTICA STATS
LIVE COVERAGE	TOURNAMENT PAGE

Elmira, NY -- The No. 1 nationally-ranked Elmira College women's ice hockey team begins their quest for an eighth ECAC West Conference title tomorrow, March 7th when they host Utica College in the first ECAC West semifinal game. The game is set to start at 3:00 p.m. in the Murray Athletic Center. 

Back-to-Back
The Soaring Eagles posted consecutive shutouts over No. 9 Oswego State in the final weekend of the regular season, defeating the Lakers 6-0 and 4-0 in the two games. Cassidy Delainey '15 and Ashley Ryan '15 led the Purple and Gold, each scoring three goals and tallying one assist over the course of the weekend. The wins moved EC's record to 23-1-1 and 18-0-0 in ECAC West play and increased Elmira's nation-leading unbeaten streak to 17 games. 

First Since 2005-06
At 18-0-0 in ECAC West Conference games, the Soaring Eagles completed the first unblemished conference regular season schedule since the 2005-06 season. It is just the fourth time in ECAC West history that a team has completed a perfect conference schedule, with Plattsburgh State doing it twice, in 2003-04 and 2005-06, and EC completing the feat back in 2002-03. However, this year's Elmira team is the first to do it in a 10-team conference.

Back Home in the Dome
For the first time since the 2008-09 season, the ECAC West Tournament will conclude in the Murray Athletic Center. EC has hosted the ECAC West Championship weekend four other times in its 14-year history and has won the title in each of those seasons. 

A Look at the Pioneers
Utica College, EC's opponent on Saturday, is making their third straight ECAC West Tournament Semifinal appearance and 12th in the last 14 years. The Pioneers have won five of their last eight games, including their 4-1 victory over Buffalo State in the quarterfinals last weekend. Utica and Buffalo State were tied 1-1 in the second period, but three goals over the final 28 minutes of play brought the Pioneers a 4-1 victory. Morgan Reed, who leads Utica in all offensive statistical categories with 15 goals, 11 assists, and 26 points, recorded a hat trick in the win over the Bengals.