Score: No. 1/3 Elmira College 5, Utica College 2
Records: Elmira (13-2-0, 8-0-0 UCHC), Utica (7-7-0, 3-3-0 UCHC)
Location: Utica, N.Y. -- Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium

UTICA, N.Y. -- The nationally-ranked Elmira College women's ice hockey team improved to 8-0-0 inside United College Hockey Conference (UCHC) play after completing a series sweep of Utica College on Saturday with a 5-2 victory at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

After being shut out by the No. 1/3 Soaring Eagles at the Murray Athletic Center on Friday, the Pioneers put a scare into league-leading EC on their home ice. The two sides played to a 2-2 tie early in the second period, but Elmira finished strong by closing the contest with three unanswered goals.

Picking up right where they left off yesterday, the Soaring Eagles opened the game's scoring with a transition tally just five minutes into the first period. Rachel Grampp '18 scored her third goal of the season by beating the UC starting goalie, Bria Reilly, to her left after receiving a beautiful pass from Ari Smith '18.

Utica responded with a Meghan Power tally just 1:27 into the second period to level the score at 1-all. Elmira would retake the lead less than 30 seconds later on a Shannon Strawinski '19 wrister from the right side of the ice. The goal was built on a 2-on-1 opportunity for the Purple and Gold. With Strawinski and Maddy Jerolman '19 racing up the ice together, the Pioneers concentrated their defensive efforts on defending the pass, which allowed Strawinski to take a shot from about three feet out.

The Pioneers, once again, found the back of the net to even the score. Veronique Lortie followed Strawinski's strike with one of her own 2:40 later. Alas, the Soaring Eagles' leading goal-scorer, Sarah Hughson '18, buried a rebound past Reilly for the eventual game-winner on the power play at the 7:21 mark in the second period. Hughson's goal, her 15th of the year, was the first of three in a row for EC to finish the game. In the third period, Jerolman extended Elmira's advantage to 4-2 with the sixth goal of her junior campaign and Louisa Lippiatt Durnell '18 recorded an empty-netter in the final minute of regulation to reach the final score.

Strawinski (1g-3a) led all scorers with four points in the contest, while Grampp (1g-2a), Hughson (1g-1a) and Jerolman (1g-1a) all finished with multiple points for the Soaring Eagles. In goal for EC, Kelcey Crawford '18 registered 20 saves and improved to 11-2-0 between the posts.

In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Tim Crowley on shares his thoughts on picking up the victory today…
"I am happy we got the win. I thought that once again our special teams were a major part of our success. We were a little up and down, but we responded with a strong third period."

Coach Crowley talks about the team's mindset heading into next week's bout against No. 3/2 Norwich…
"Obviously, it's an important matchup for us, but we'll prepare like we normally do. It'll be another test for us against a ranked opponent that we are looking forward to."
 
Coach Crowley on what Shannon Strawinski's passing ability brings to the team…
"Strawinski is having a great year for us, especially on the power play. Her assists go to show how much of an impact she has when we are up a skater."

News and Notes

• Elmira improved to 13-2-0 overall and remained undefeated in UCHC play with an 8-0-0 league mark.
• Strawinski posted season and career highs with three assists and four points in the win.
• Grampp also picked up season bests in both points (3) and assists (2).
• Hughson's power-play goal was her eighth of the season, which leads all scorers in Division III.
• Jerolman recorded her third multi-point game of the season.
• Crawford became the fourth goalie in EC history to eclipse 1,100 career saves, finishing with 1,104 after Saturday's win.
• With 11 wins, Crawford ranks second in the nation, trailing only Wisconsin-Superior's Sky Brown (13-4-0).

Up Next
No. 1/3 Elmira return to the ice next Saturday, January 20, when they face #3/2 Norwich University at the Murray Athletic Center. The opening puck drop for the nationally-ranked matchup between the Soaring Eagles and Cadets is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.