Potsdam, N.Y. – The Elmira College women's ice hockey team opened its season on the road Friday evening, traveling to SUNY Potsdam for a non-conference matchup with the Bears. Mo McBride led the way with a four-goal performance, powering the Soaring Eagles to a 4-1 victory in their season opener and securing head coach Eliza Beaudin's first career win behind the bench.
LEADERS
McBride led the way for EC with four goals, tying for the second-most in a single game in program history.
Bella Tomasso,
Savannah Barber, and
Georgia MacInnis each recorded two assists, while
Olivia Last made 20 saves in net to secure the victory.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Soaring Eagles came out on the front foot, as
Piper Thompson forced a strong save from the Potsdam netminder in the opening seconds. EC continued to apply pressure and broke through just two minutes into the contest, with McBride finding the back of the net to give Elmira an early lead. Barber and MacInnis picked up assists on the play. McBride struck again just two minutes later, burying a feed from Tomasso to double the Soaring Eagles' advantage. With eight minutes remaining in the period, the Bears earned a power-play opportunity, but Elmira successfully killed off the penalty without allowing a shot on goal. EC was sent back to the penalty kill shortly after, and this time Potsdam capitalized to cut the deficit in half. The Soaring Eagles carried a 2-1 lead into the first intermission, holding a 10-6 advantage in shots on goal.
Elmira earned its first power-play opportunity early in the second period but was unable to capitalize, with the Potsdam netminder turning aside both shots on goal. The Bears went on the power play shortly after, but the Soaring Eagles successfully killed off the penalty behind two saves from Last. With four minutes remaining in the period, McBride completed her hat trick, firing a shot past the Potsdam netminder to restore Elmira's two-goal advantage. EC carried a 3-1 lead into the second intermission after outshooting the Bears, 13-10, in the middle frame.
The Soaring Eagles continued to dictate the pace in the third period, recording the first nine shots on goal. Eight minutes in, McBride struck for the fourth time, pouncing on a rebound and putting it into the back of the net to extend Elmira's lead to 4-1. Potsdam responded with several scoring opportunities, but Last stood tall in net to preserve the three-goal advantage. EC remained strong defensively down the stretch, shutting down the Bears' attack to secure a 4-1 victory.
SCORING
UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles will continue their road trip on Saturday, October 31, when they take on SUNY Canton. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
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