No. 2 Elmira College (11-1-1, 6-0-0 ECACW) vs. Neumann University (3-9-1, 1-6-1 ECACW)
Saturday, January 16, 2016 | 3:00 P.M. | Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena, Pine Valley, NY
Sunday, January 17, 2016 | 3:00 P.M. | Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena, Pine Valley, NY
Live Coverage | Twitter: @ECSoaringEagles | Game Notes
 
Elmira, NY -- Second-ranked Elmira College women's ice hockey re-opens ECAC West Conference play this weekend with a two-game set with visiting Neumann University. The first of two games is scheduled for Saturday, January 16th, at 3:00 p.m. at Elmira's Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena.
 
Last Time Out
Elmira faced a stiff test in its last outing against No. 3/6 nationally-ranked Amherst College on Tuesday night. Sarah Hughson '18 got things started for the Soaring Eagles early in the first period, as she tucked-in a wraparound goal to open the game's scoring. Amherst answered just about three minutes later to even the game, but Katie Granato '19 put the Purple and Gold back in front 1:35 into the second period on one of the nicest backhand bar-down shots you will see this season. It looked as though EC was going to skate away with its fifth nationally-ranked win of the season, but with less than five minutes to play in regulation, Amherst scored the eventual game-tying goal, which put an end to Elmira's 11-game win streak. For Elmira, it was the first time this season they have not won a game when entering the third period with a lead (8-0-1).
 
25-Shot Mark
In Elmira's Tuesday night bout with No. 3/6 Amherst College, EC was held to 22 shots on goal, marking the fifth time this season the Soaring Eagles have produced less than 25. Elmira is 3-1-1 this year when it has not hit the 25-shot mark, but going back to the 2013-14 season shows that Elmira is 7-8-1 in those same games. However, when Elmira has produced 25-or-more, the Soaring Eagles record stands at a staggering 51-2-2.
 
Unbeaten Streak Still Intact
Although Elmira was unable to extend its win streak, the Soaring Eagles did however push its unbeaten streak to 12 games, which is the second-longest active streak in the country. Elmira is one of four teams in the country with double-digit unbeaten streaks; Plattsburgh State leads the country at 13, while the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Amherst College are at 11.
 
Scouting Neumann
It has been a challenging year to say the least for the 2015-16 edition of Neumann University women's ice hockey. The Knights opened the season with six straight losses and earned just one win in its first 11 games of the year. However, the Knights look to be playing much better recently, as the Neumann women have earned back-to-back wins in their last two outings against Salve Regina University and Salem State University. One area Neumann will need to do a better job at this weekend is limiting its penalty minutes. The Knights are averaging an NCAA Division III-leading 12.1 penalty minutes per contest, which could pose a problem with Elmira's 11th-ranked power-play unit. Bek Lucas has been a bright spot for Neumann this season, as the second-year forward leads the team in points (10), goals (7), and shares the team lead in assists (3). Megan Russelo shares the team lead in assists with three.