PINE VALLEY, N.Y. -- The No. 3 nationally-ranked Elmira College women's ice hockey team (1-0-0, 1-0-0 UCHC) got the 2019-20 season started on the right foot on Saturday afternoon, as the Soaring Eagles handed United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) foe Wilkes University (0-1-0, 0-1-0 UCHC) a 12-0 loss at the Murray Athletic Center.

The Purple and Gold came flying out of the gates, pouring in four goals over the opening 20 minutes of play. Eliza Beaudin '22, the reigning UCHC Tournament MVP, opened Elmira's ledger for the season with a wicked wrist shot that found its way to the top shelf just three minutes into the game. EC doubled its advantage just two minutes later, as rookie Holley Riva '23 scored the first goal of her career off of a pair of passes from classmate Jordan Holt '23 and senior Tiia Hertto '20.

Elmira's early flurry continued as Beaudin buried her second of the period at 13:19. Wilkes managed to keep EC off of the board for the next 10 minutes, as a hooking penalty slowed the Soaring Eagles' momentum. Claire Meeder '23 brought a swift end to the drought with just under three minutes left on the clock, potting the first goal of her career after combining with Riva and Ronnie Callahan '21.

The Soaring Eagles kept the barrage going in the second period, pouring in four more goals, two of which came on the power play. After posting a pair of assists in the opening frame, Emma Crocker '21 was rewarded with a tip-in goal that beat Wilkes' Ally Joly to the right side of the net. Jenny Heath '22 made it 6-0 at 13:53, as the sophomore blueliner fired a howitzer of a shot into past the outstretched glove of Joly. Amanda Zenstein '22 chipped in with a power-play tally before Heath added her second of the night with an extra skater with just over seven minutes to play in the second frame.

After Wilkes was whistled for a pair of penalties late in the second period, Crocker made the visitors pay to open the final period, netting her second goal of the game just 19 seconds into the period. Beaudin completed her hat-trick effort just over a minute later to bring the score to 10-0. EC tacked another goal two minutes later, as Devyn Gilman '21 netted a solo effort in the slot.

Following Gilman's tally, the Colonels brought a more aggressive edge to their game. Wilkes tallied five shots during the period, but Stephanie Martin '22 turned every attempt away. With just under five minutes play, Riva game the contest its final scoreline, as the freshman potted her second goal of the game to seal EC's 12-0 victory.

In their own words…
Head Coach Tim Crowley on the team's performance in its season-opening victory…
"It's always good to start the season with a win, especially with it coming in conference play," Crowley said. "It was a great night for our young players. Everyone contributing was something we've talked about and they were able to do that which always helps with confidence. I thought they played well and we were happy with their starts."

News and Notes

• Elmira opened its season with a victory for a fourth consecutive year.
• EC ended the contest with a 56-8 edge in shots on goal.
• The Soaring Eagles went 3-for-8 (.375) on the power play, while Wilkes was 0-for-5 (.000).
• 14 different skaters tallied at least one point for the Purple and Gold.
• Heath's two goals were a career-high.
• Crocker's six-point (2g-4a) outing is tied for fourth in single-game program history.
• Jordan Holt '23, Meeder, and Riva all posted the first points of their collegiate careers.
• Beaudin's hat-trick was the second of her career.
• Riva posted three points (1g-2a) in her debut.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they welcome the Monarchs of King's College (Pa.) to the Murray Athletic Center. The contest is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. start.