Score: No. 3/3 Elmira College 4, Neumann University 0
Records: Elmira (20-2-2, 14-0-1 UCHC), Neumann (12-9-2, 9-5-1 UCHC)
Location: Pine Valley, N.Y. -- Murray Athletic Center
 
PINE VALLEY, N.Y. -- The No. 3/3 nationally-ranked Elmira College women's ice hockey team remains unbeaten in United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) play with a 4-0 victory over Neumann University at the Murray Athletic Center in the penultimate game of the 2017-18 regular season.

The first period of tonight's contest was played evenly, without a large amount whistles. The story of the stanza was the two goalies, as Kelcey Crawford '18 made two saves for EC and Julia Fair stopped 10 shots for the Knights.

In the second period, Meghan Fonfara '18 opened the contest's scoring with a tally just 45 seconds into the stanza. Fonfara's goal came from a fast-break opportunity for the Purple and Gold that allowed her to beat a Neumann defender and score. Sarah Hughson '18 and Louisa Lippiatt Durnell '18 were credited with assists on the play.

Ari Smith '18 put the Purple and Gold up 2-0 with a tip-in goal at the 4:08 mark of the stanza. Kristen Chivers '19 took the initial attempt from close to the blue line that Smith tipped past Fair. Sydney Harris '21 also had an assist on the play.  

About seven minutes later, Hughson gave the Soaring Eagles a 3-0 lead with her team-leading 21st goal of the season. Hughson was the recipient of a pass from Meg Lahey '19 that Hughson just chipped over Fair's should. Shannon Strawinski '19 had the secondary assist on the tally, her team-leading 19th of the year.

EC scored one more time in the third to take the 4-0 victory. Strawinski recorded the goal with a slap shot that flew over Fair's stick shoulder. Durnell was given the assist on the play by finding the curling Strawinski for the strike.

Between the pipes, Crawford needed just 13 saves to earn her seventh shutout this season. Crawford was at her busiest in the second period, stopping all seven shots she faced.
 
In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Tim Crowley shares his thoughts following today's 4-0 victory…
"I was happy to get the win. A goal of ours was to finish first in league play, which we accomplished. We wanted to get to 20 wins this year and we got there. We want to get another one tomorrow to finish out the year. It was good to see the seniors contribute on the scoreboard, especially since is their weekend. It was a solid game played by us."
 
Coach Crowley when asked about the team's strong second-quarter performance…
"We did not have any offensive urgency in the first period. We made a couple plays in the second. I thought we could have walked out of the second with a few more goals. Credit to Neumann's goalie, I thought she played well. We had a better second period than the first."
 
Coach Crowley on what he wants to see out of the team heading into the final regular-season finale tomorrow…
"We need to continue to be system strong and to play with structure. They need to enjoy the Senior Day. It is a huge credit to the senior class. When you look at their record and what they have done over the last four years. It's a huge compliment to them and they have been a massive part of it. We want to get the win for them and enjoy the day."
 
News and Notes

• Elmira improved to 20-2-2 overall and 14-0-1 against UCHC competition.
• The Soaring Eagles are unbeaten in their last 11 games (9-0-2).
• Today's win was EC's second straight shutout and its 10th of the season.
• The Purple and Gold are unbeaten in its last seven home games as well, going 5-0-2 in that stretch.
• Elmira remains unbeaten in the all-time series against Neumann (36-0-1).
• With two assists tonight, Durnell is up to 94 career points (27g-67a).
• Durnell has tallied a point in three of the last four bouts.
• With a goal and an assist, Hughson improved her team lead in points to 39 (21g-18a).
• Hughson has recorded at least one point in four consecutive games.
• Strawinski's assist tonight is her 19th of the season, the most by any Soaring Eagle.
• Strawinski has recorded multiple points in EC's last two games, eight times overall.
• Fonfara's goal gives her 10 on the year.
• Smith's tally is her fifth as a senior.

 
Up Next
The Soaring Eagles conclude the 2017-18 regular season with a 3:00 p.m. bout against these Knights tomorrow at the Murray Athletic Center. The bout will serve as EC's Class of 2018 Recognition Day.