ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Another week of Elmira College Athletics is in the books. Four of EC's fall athletic teams were in action this past week and will wrap-up their schedules this weekend, with the exception of men's and women's cross country, who still have a pair of races to compete in before the season's end. Just as quickly as the fall season ends, the winter season begins – EC men's ice hockey is the first winter team in action, as the Soaring Eagles open the year with a home-and-home series with Oswego State, beginning with a Friday, October 28th, road bout with the Lakers.
  With the fall sports season reaching its apex, Elmira College will honor its graduating members of the Class of 2017 at a handful of games this week, starting with a Tuesday, October 25th, women's volleyball match against the University of Rochester at 6:00 p.m. The following day, October 26th, the men's soccer team will hold its senior day during a 3:00 p.m. non-league tilt with King's (Pa.). Then on Saturday, October 29th, Elmira field hockey and women's soccer will recognize their graduating seniors at 1:00 p.m. during conference games against Ithaca and Hartwick, respectively.
  Fans have been eagerly awaiting the start of the 44th season of Elmira College men's ice hockey, but that wait is finally over, as the Soaring Eagles open the 2016-17 campaign with a home-and-home series with Oswego State. Elmira travels to face Oswego on Friday, October 28th, at 7:00 p.m., before playing the Lakers in its home opener the following night, October 29th, at the Murray Athletic Center at 7:00 p.m. A fan shuttle bus will be available for EC students for Saturday night's game – the bus will depart from the campus bus loop at 6:15 p.m. and will leave the MAC at 9:15 p.m. Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for students; Elmira College students can attend all of this year's regular-season games free of charge.
  After a two-week hiatus, the cross country teams will resume their fall schedule at the 2016 Empire 8 Conference Championships at the Fortin Park in Oneonta, New York, on Saturday, October 29th. It will be the women's third appearance at the conference championship, which will begin at 11:00 a.m., while the men compete in their second E8 race in program history that same day at 12:00 p.m.
   Elmira College Athletics is thrilled to announce a newly formed partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings to enhance the student-athlete and fan experience at EC's many athletic events throughout the 2016-17 academic calendar. Buffalo Wild Wings will sponsor a "Game of the Year" for 15 sporting events, as well as a "Game of the Month" promotion for Elmira's men's and women's ice hockey programs. Elmira will host two Buffalo Wild Wing Games of the Year this week; the first on October 25th, when women's volleyball takes on Rochester at Speidel Gymnasium at 6:00 p.m., while the second one will take place on Saturday, October 29th, when EC field hockey takes on Ithaca at 1:00 p.m.
   
  The Soaring Eagles went 1-1 last weekend at the final Empire 8 Crossover of the 2016 season, hosted by Nazareth at Kidera Gymnasium in Rochester, New York. Elmira opened the weekend with a 3-0 setback to the Golden Flyers, before bouncing back with a straight-set victory over Hartwick in the nightcap. Natalie Schieder '19 paced the Purple and Gold with a pair of double-digit kill performances, including a double-double effort in EC's win over the Hawks (10 kills, 18 digs). Kasey Campbell '19 also had day to remember against Hartwick, as the second-year defensive specialist logged a career-high 23 digs.
  Since upsetting Skidmore College back on October 5th, the Elmira men have struggled to find wins, producing a 0-4-1 record. Elmira went 0-1-1 this past week, suffering a 1-0 setback on the road to AMCC-leading Medaille, before playing the Golden Flyers of Nazareth to a 0-0 double-overtime draw. Jordan Hodlofski '17 was the lone bright spot for the Soaring Eagles, as the field player-turned-goalkeeper amassed 12 saves in the two contests. Eight of his 12 stops came against Nazareth, three of which were made in the two overtime periods. As a result of his stellar play, Hodlofski was named the Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week.  
  It was a challenging week to say the least for the Elmira women, who fell in conference action to Ithaca and 5th-ranked Stevens. In the loss to Ithaca, Niki Lemper '17 scored her first goal of the season, one that came in the 81st minute from 35-yards out. Amanda Banner '17 got the start in net in both contests and finished the week with 17 saves, including a nine-save effort against the nationally-ranked Ducks of Stevens.
  Elmira eyed its first conference win of the year this past Saturday, October 22nd, when the Soaring Eagles traveled to face Utica. The EC defense did a phenomenal job in the first 35 minutes to keep the Pioneers off of the scoreboard, but Utica would eventually break through with three second-half goals to secure a 3-0 victory. Elmira's best looks on offense came in a 28-second stretch in the first half, when the Purple and Gold fired three of their five shots of the game, two of which forced UC goalkeeper Samantha Whitehouse to come up with saves. Julie Hockenberger '18 got the start in net for Elmira and made six saves in 70 minutes of action.