PINE VALLEY, N.Y. - The Elmira College women's hockey team hosted the Cougars of Chatham University Friday night for their first of two weekend matchups. The Soaring Eagles came out on top over their UCHC opponents, 6-0. Captain Alayna Toole led the way with four goals, including three shorthanded. 

PLAY-BY-PLAY
It was a strong start for the Soaring Eagles, who generated the first five shots of the game. They broke through just over three minutes in when Piper Andrews stole the puck from a Chatham player and drove to the net, and Alayna Toole buried the rebound. Immediately following the goal, an EC penalty presented an opportunity for Chatham to level the score, but a strong penalty kill by the Soaring Eagles allowed just one shot, which was saved by Olivia Last. Elmira spent most of the first period in the Cougars' defensive zone but was unable to extend its lead before the intermission, despite outshooting Chatham 16–4.

Another quick start to the second period for EC saw Mo McBride beat the Chatham netminder with a quick shot to make it 2–0. Just over a minute later, Savannah Barber collected a loose puck at her own blue line, carried it the length of the ice, and found the back of the net. The Cougars took a timeout to regroup and, shortly after, earned another power-play opportunity. Just 12 seconds into the advantage, Toole intercepted an errant pass and made it 4–0 with a breakaway goal. Twenty-four seconds later, strong pressure from MK Boyle forced another turnover, and Toole completed the hat trick with her second shorthanded goal of the evening.

With a comfortable cushion, Elmira limited chances against throughout the third period, and Last stood tall when called upon. With seven minutes remaining and the Cougars on the power play, Toole scored her fourth goal of the game after Bella Tomasso set her up at the top of the crease. With her third shorthanded tally of the night, Toole tied the single-game record in NCAA Division III history for most shorthanded goals by one player. The Soaring Eagles closed out the period in control, sealing the 6–0 victory.

SCORING