Score: No. 1/1 Plattsburgh State 4, No. 4/4 Elmira College 2
Records: Plattsburgh (21-1-0, 14-1-0 ECACW), Elmira (15-3-4, 12-1-2 ECACW)
Location: Plattsburgh, N.Y. - Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- The fourth-ranked Elmira College women's ice hockey team had a 10-game unbeaten streak and unblemished ECAC West Conference record spoiled by No. 1 Plattsburgh State on Saturday afternoon, as the Cardinals scored twice in the third period to secure a 4-2 victory on their home ice.

The loss is EC's first since suffering a 5-3 defeat at the hands of then-No. 5/4 Adrian College on January 8th, and it's the first conference loss for the Purple and Gold since falling to the Cardinals at the Murray Athletic Center on January 31, 2016. With the win, the defending national champions grabbed sole possession of first place in the ECAC West standings with a 14-1-0 mark, while Elmira remains in second place at 12-1-2.

Team captain Jessica Prance '17 provided all of the offense for the Soaring Eagles, as the senior forward produced the first multi-goal performance of her career in the biggest game of the season thus far. EC entered the second period down 1-0, following a power-play goal from Plattsburgh's Megan Crandell in the opening frame. At the 11:35 mark of the second period, Prance scored the equalizer, with assists from Louisa Lippiatt Durnell '18 and Meghan Fonfara '18.

The fierce rivals then traded goals in span of 22 seconds late in the second period. After a Melissa Sheeran power-play goal allowed the Cardinals to retake the lead at the 15:44 mark, Prance found the back of the net again with just 3:56 remaining in the period. Assisting on the tying goal were Fonfara and Rachel Grampp '18.

Frantic to break the stalemate and secure a conference win at home, the Cardinals produced a game-high 15 shots in the third period. Third-year goaltender Kelcey Crawford '18 was up to the task and made eight saves in the first three-plus minutes period, but Courtney Moriarty finally broke through for the eventual game-winner 3:15 into the final stanza.

The Soaring Eagles had opportunities to get the offense going in what turned into a penalty-filled third period. Trailing by one, 3-2, EC was granted three power-play opportunities. However, each of the three extra-skater chances were cut short due to infractions on Elmira shortly thereafter. As a result, the Soaring Eagles managed to fire only five shots at Plattsburgh goalie Camille Leonard in the final 20 minutes of regulation.

With one-and-a-half minutes remaining and desperate for a score, Head Coach Tim Crowley pulled Crawford in favor of an extra attacker, but Moriarty added an empty-net insurance goal with just 34 ticks left on the clock.

Turning Point
A little over five minutes into the third period, Plattsburgh's Erin Brand was sent to the penalty box on a two-minute interference call, giving the Soaring Eagles a chance to tally another equalizing goal on the ensuing power play. But that power play lasted only 13 seconds, as Kristin Chivers '19 was penalized immediately afterwards. Then again at the 8:41 mark of the final period, the Cardinals found themselves down a skater, when Mackenzie Millen was tagged with a minor for hooking. This time, Elmira played a full minute on the power play, before a call against Meg Lahey '19 ended another prime scoring opportunity. Not only were the extra-skater chances cut short each time, the Soaring Eagles failed to register any shots on goal during those abbreviated power plays.

Inside the Box Score

• The Cardinals owned a one-sided lead in shots on goal, 37-18.
• The Soaring Eagles finished the contest with nine penalties for 18 penalty minutes.
• Plattsburgh was called for seven infractions for 14 penalty minutes.
• The Cardinals went 2-for-9 on the power play, while Elmira finished 0-for-7.
• Prance scored both goals for the Purple and Gold.
• Lippiatt Durnell and Fonfara were credited with the assists on Prance's first goal, while Fonfara and Grampp were given helpers on the second.
• Moriarty tied Prance with a game-high two goals, including the game-winning tally.
• Crandell paced all skaters with three points on one goal and two assists.
• Five different Cardinals were credited with one assist in the contest.
• Crawford made 33 saves between the pipes for EC.
• Leonard finished with 16 stops in net for Plattsburgh.

News and Notes

• EC's record sits at 15-3-4 on the season.
• The loss was Elmira's first in ECAC West play, dropping the Soaring Eagles to 12-1-2 in the conference.
• With the win, the Cardinals improved to 28-19-3 in the all-time series against the Soaring Eagles.
• The Soaring Eagles must beat Plattsburgh on Sunday to move back into a two-way tie for first place in the ECAC West, although the Cardinals would still hold the tiebreaker with more conference victories.
• A loss on Sunday to Plattsburgh would allow the Cardinals to clinch the top seed in the ECAC West Tournament.
• Prance registered the first multi-goal game of her career with two tallies against the Cardinals.
• Saturday's game was the second multi-point game of Prance's career and her first since recording two assists against SUNY Potsdam on December 6, 2014.
• On the season, Prance has scored career highs with five goals and seven points.
• Fonfara's posted her first career game with multiple assists.
• Saturday's game was the fifth multi-point effort of Fonfara's junior year.
• Crawford's 33 saves were just three shy of her career high.
• Crawford has three games with 30-or-more saves in her career, all of which have come this season.

Up Next
The fourth-ranked Soaring Eagles return to action to face the Cardinals in second half of the two-game series on Sunday, February 12th, in Plattsburgh, New York. The ECAC West contest is set to begin at 3:00 p.m.