Score: No. 1 Plattsburgh State 4 – No. 2 Elmira College 2
Records: Plattsburgh (19-0-0, 12-0-0 ECACW), Elmira (15-2-1, 10-1-0 ECACW)
Location: Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena – Pine Valley, NY
 
Pine Valley, NY -- The second-ranked Elmira College women's ice hockey team kicked off its biggest series of the season on Saturday afternoon when it welcomed top-ranked Plattsburgh State for the first of two games this weekend at the Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena. In a battle between the nation's top contenders it was the Cardinals who struck the first blow, skating to a 4-2 victory to maintain their undefeated record on the season.
 
Elmira got off to a shaky start to the game, which ended up being the Soaring Eagles' ultimate undoing in the loss. EC struggled with its puck management and zone exits during the first period, which Plattsburgh used to its advantage to build a 3-0 lead over the opening 17 minutes of play.
 
The Cardinals sensational sophomore scoring duo of Melissa Sheeran and Kayla Meneghin did not wait long to have its presence felt this afternoon. The pair synced up to break the scoreless deadlock on the scoreboard at 7:43 of the first period. Working a low cycle in the Elmira end, EC forward Johanna Eidensten '16 picked off the puck in the left-wing corner. Instead of trying to send an exit pass up the wing, she reversed the puck trying to wrap it up around the boards on the far side. Unfortunately, the puck only got as far as behind the cage, as Meneghin picked off the pass and in one motion whipped a lightning-quick centering feed between the circles. Reading the play the entire way, Sheeran streaked from her position at the point to one-time the Meneghin pass in the high-slot, beating Elmira netminder Kelcey Crawford '18 on the glove side to make it 1-0.
 
Sheeran did not need any help to double the Cardinals lead less than five minutes later. She picked off a pass at center ice and came charging into the Elmira zone. Protecting the puck on her backhand, she used her speed to get around the EC defense, before shifting the puck to her forehand and this time lifting it over the blocker of Crawford to make it 2-0.
 
Plattsburgh continued to push the pace with their aggressive forecheck, making it hard for Elmira to establish any rhythm in its game. The Cardinals capped the scoring in the period at 17:00, as Melissa Ames chipped home a rebound, after an initial shot by Plattsburgh defender Erin Brand was denied. The goal prompted Elmira's head coach Dean Jackson '03 to make a change in the cage.  
 
Although Elmira looked to find its game during the middle period; however, it was only Plattsburgh that would find the back of the net during the second. The Cardinals used its top-ranked power play to stretch the lead to 4-0 at 6:23 of the period. Meneghin sent a perfect saucer pass from the left-wing boards to Jordan Lipson at the far post. Catching Elmira in a partial change, she had time to dust off the puck and lift a shot off the left post and in.
 
Elmira showed its resiliency with a strong third period the team will look to build on heading into tomorrow's rematch. The Soaring Eagles outshot the Cardinals 16-to-10 in the final frame, while they put two pucks behind Plattsburgh's rock solid netminder Camille Leonard.
 
Sarah Hughson '18 and Shannon Strawinski '19 netted goals 1:06 apart midway through the period to halve the deficit, setting up an exciting close to the finish.
 
Elmira got on the board at 10:13 of the period on Hughson's fourth of the season. Maddie Evangelous '19 got the play started, winning puck battle on the right-wing boards and skating it down along the end line. She whipped the puck in the direction of Katie Granato '19 who was wreaking havoc at the top of the Plattsburgh crease. The puck caromed off her skate back to Kristin Chivers '19 at the point. She walked the blue-line to size up a shot, which hit the traffic in front and trickled to the far post. Hughson was in perfect position on the backdoor to chip home the puck past Leonard to get the crowd into the game.
 
The fervor continued to build just two shifts later as Strawinski brought the MAC to its collective feet with a dazzling goal to cut the deficit to just two. Kyra McDonald '18 lifted a pass from her own zone to the EC rookie, who was surrounded by three Cardinal skaters at center ice. She made an excellent play to settle the puck, before using her wheels to get behind the Plattsburgh defender for a partial breakaway. She deked backhand-forehand, before again turning it over to her backhand to completely bewilder Leonard.
 
The energized Elmira squad continued to fight down the stretch. EC got a glorious opportunity to pull closer, as Plattsburgh was whistled for two late penalties with under four minutes to play, setting up a lengthy five-on-three advantage. Unfortunately, the Soaring Eagles were unable to line up a solid chance, as the Cardinals held on for the 4-2 win.

Turning Point
It was the fast start by the Cardinals that proved to be the difference in this one, as Plattsburgh scored three times over a 9:17 span during the middle portion of the third period. Melissa Sheeran, the nation's leading goal scorer, pumped in two goals, while Melissa Ames chipped home a rebound to make it 3-0 with 3:00 to go in the opening period. The start prompted an Elmira goalie change, while the hole ended up being too much for the Soaring Eagles to climb out of.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Plattsburgh narrowly outshot Elmira 35-to-33 in the contest.
• The third period was a strong one for the Soaring Eagles, as they outshot the Cardinals 16-to-10 in the final frame.
• Katie Granato '19 and Louisa Lippiatt Durnell '18 each finished with a team-high six shots apiece.
• The Cardinals held a slight edge in faceoffs, winning 39 draws to Elmira's 32.
• Lippiatt Durnell had a busy night in the faceoff circle taking over a third of Elmira's draws in the contest. She finished 14-for-26.
• Plattsburgh was 1-for-4 on the power play, while Elmira finished 0-for-6 with the advantage.
• Sarah Hughson '18 and Shannon Strawinski '19 each netted third period goals just 1:06 apart.
• Kristin Chivers '19, Katie Granato '19 and Kyra McDonald '18 each tallied one assist.
• Kelcey Crawford '18 finished with nine saves and three goals allowed in 17 minutes of action.
• Kyle Nelson '17 stopped 22 shots and allowed one goal in 42:37 of relief action.

 
News and Notes

• The loss was Elmira's first in ECAC West play this season, while it was the first time EC has come up short since the season-opening loss to Adrian College on October 31^st.
• It was Elmira's first regular season loss on home ice at the Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena since falling to Plattsburgh 2-1 in overtime on February 8, 2014; a span of 22 straight contests.
• The Cardinals have now won three straight matchups in the series between the two programs.
• Elmira was just the second team to score multiple goals in a game on Plattsburgh this season, joining Gustavus Adolphus College.
• The four goals allowed by Elmira equaled a season high. The Cardinals were the first opponent to score more than two goals in a game on EC since Adrian College also netted four during the season opener.
• With her third period goal, Strawinski stretched her scoring streak to five consecutive games. She now has one goal and six assists over that stretch.
• With her third period assist, Chivers stretched her scoring streak to seven straight contests, tallying three goals and five assists over the stretch.

 
Up Next
Elmira and Plattsburgh State conclude the two-game set tomorrow afternoon with another 3:00 p.m. opening puck drop at the Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena.