PINE VALLEY, N.Y. -- The No. 5-ranked Elmira College women's ice hockey team wrapped up the regular season in fine fashion on Sunday afternoon, as the Soaring Eagles downed United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) foe Utica College by a final score of 2-0.

With the victory, the Purple and Gold clinched the No. 1-overall seed in the UCHC playoffs and earned hosting rights throughout the postseason tournament. With the win, Elmira finished the regular season with a 19-4-2 overall record and a 14-2-0 mark in conference play. Utica moved to 9-15-1 overall and clinched the fourth seed in the UCHC North with a 9-6-1 conference record.

Emma Crocker '21 and Ronnie Callahan '21 supplied the scoring punch for EC with a goal apiece. Morgan Mordini '22, Bella Hanson '21, Claire Meeder '23, and Holley Riva '23 were all credited with assists to round out Elmira's point producers.

It was a relatively quiet start to the contest on Sunday afternoon as both sides had a feeling out process. That all changed with a little under 12 minutes on the clock as Crocker struck for Elmira's first goal of the game. Hanson started the play in the Purple and Gold's end with a breakout pass to Mordini. The sophomore shifted the puck to a streaking Crocker who tore into Utica's zone and rifled a shot to beat Utica's Savannah Gutierrez on the short side.

Elmira wasted little time capitalizing on its one-goal lead, as the Soaring Eagles doubled their advantage 2:28 later. As the Purple and Gold set up shop in Utica's end, a battle ensued along the boards in the right corner. Riva won the puck out of the scrum and sent a pass back to Meeder. The rookie snapped a shot that was padded away by Gutierrez, but Callahan was camped in the slot and punched home the rebound for her third goal of the campaign.

With a two-goal advantage firmly in place, the Soaring Eagles dominated the remaining 40 minutes of Sunday's contest. EC outshout the Pioneers, 31-6 over the final two periods, as the Purple and Gold dictated the flow of the game. Elizabeth Hanson '21 turned away the Pioneers' limited chances and finished with 18 saves to seal the victory. 

In his own words....
Head coach Tim Crowley on heading into the conference championships on a high note...
"It was a goal of ours to earn the No. 1 seed at the start of the year. It was nice to achieve that on our Class of 2020 Recognition Day. We want to continue to continue the momentum on Saturday and make sure we continue to be system strong."

News And Notes

• Following today's contest, Elmira recognized its two seniors: Kiana Melvin '20 and Tiia Hertto '20.
• The Purple and Gold have made a postseason appearance in each season dating back to the inaugural 2001-02 campaign.
• The Soaring Eagles have won eight consecutive games against the Pioneers.
• Elmira outshot Utica, 42-18.
• EC held the Pioneers scoreless on four power-play chances.
• Crocker pushed her point streak to four consecutive contests.
• Crocker's goal pushed her team-leading total to 17.
• Callahan scored her third goal of the season.
• Mordini has produced five points in her last three games.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles will return to the ice at the Murray Athletic Center on Saturday, February 29, to host Utica in the Quarterfinal round of the UCHC Championships.