PINE VALLEY, N.Y. -- The No. 3-nationally ranked Elmira College women's ice hockey team staged a third-period comeback to down United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) foe Stevenson University on Saturday afternoon by a 2-1 margin at the Murray Athletic Center.

Morgan Mordini '22 and Emma Crocker '21 were the heroes for EC against the Mustangs. The former netted the game-tying goal just 23 seconds into the third period, while the latter scored the game-winner with just under nine minutes left to play. Stephanie Martin '22 got the start in net and made 14 saves to seal the victory.  

The Mustangs played a very defensive game in the first period to stifle the Soaring Eagles' attack. EC ended the period with a 17-2 advantage in shots, but the Purple and Gold were unable to find a way past Stevenson's Annie Smyth-Hammond. EC looked to have a scoring chance with a little over nine minutes on the clock with a two-on-one breakaway. Eliza Beaudin '22 received a cross-ice pass near the left post but was unable to get the redirection chance on target. Stevenson bunkered down from there, seeing out the remainder of the opening frame.

The second stanza followed the script of the first as the Soaring Eagles continued to dominate control of the puck. EC peppered Smyth-Hammond with 17 shots, but once again the Stevenson netminder stood tall to keep the Purple and Gold off of the board. As time wound down, the Mustangs saw a couple of chances fall their way and the visitors took advantage. With 2:22 left on the clock, Nikki Kendrick sent a shot towards Martin, which the sophomore padded away. However, the rebound came right to Kendrick who smacked the bouncing puck past Martin to put Stevenson up 1-0.

Trailing by a goal with one period to play, the Soaring Eagles wasted little time in leveling the score.  Just 23 seconds into the third frame, Mordini punched home a quick shot off a feed from Crocker on the glove side of Smyth-Hammond. Elmira continued to up the pressure on the Mustangs as the final stanza rolled on. That pressure paid off when Stevenson's Tea Ferrara was whistled for hooking with 9:35 left to play. With the extra skater on the ice, EC cashed in on the power-play chance just under a minute into the opportunity. Kiana Melvin '20 started the play with a pass to Mordini who worked down into the lower-left corner. The sophomore left the puck for Crocker who wheeled around the faceoff dot and promptly rifled a wrist shot into the top shelf for the game-winner. It was all Elmira from there, as the Soaring Eagles controlled the puck to see out the contest.

In his own words…
Head coach Tim Crowley on the team's performance in today's conference victory…
"Credit to Stevenson today. They played hard and made it difficult on us, especially their goalie. We wanted and needed to get back to playing our game and structure, and that's what I thought we did in the third period. It's always good to get two conference points and we're looking forward to tomorrow's game."

News and Notes

• The Soaring Eagles are unbeaten in their last six contests.
• EC improved to 8-0-0 all-time against the Mustangs.
• Elmira outshot Stevenson, 47-15.
• EC held the Mustangs scoreless on five power-play chances.
• Crocker registered her fourth multi-point outing of the season.
• Crocker pushed her team-leading assist total to 12.
• Mordini's goal was her second of the year.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles continue UCHC action tomorrow afternoon against newly minted program Alvernia. The contest against the Golden Wolves is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. start.