ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Elmira College women's hockey team traveled to Rochester to take on the Golden Flyers of Nazareth University in the UCHC Championship Final. A strong 60-minute effort helped the Soaring Eagles come out victorious in a 4–1 win.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Soaring Eagles started strong, as
Sarah Waszkielewicz jumped on a loose puck and fired a shot into the back of the net to give Elmira the lead just over three minutes in. Shortly after, Nazareth had a chance to level it on a rush chance, but
Olivia Last stood tall. With just over five minutes left in the period,
Anna Lugge doubled EC's advantage off a nice feed from
Mo McBride. Less than a minute later,
MK Boyle made it 3–0 as a quick release beat the Nazareth netminder from a tight angle. The Soaring Eagles went into the first intermission with a three-goal lead while outshooting the Golden Flyers, 15–5.
Elmira started the second period well, limiting chances against and keeping pucks to the outside, but Nazareth was able to capitalize on a power play halfway through the period to cut the deficit to two. Another Nazareth power play looked dangerous, but the EC penalty kill came up big to shut it down as Last made three saves. Shortly after, Elmira received its first power-play opportunity of the game and capitalized just ten seconds in off the stick of
Piper Thompson as she put home a rebound. The Soaring Eagles took a 4–1 lead into the locker room after two.
As EC looked to close out the third period, they limited shots against, but a Nazareth power play looked dangerous. Again, Last shut down the Golden Flyers, stopping all the shots put on goal by Nazareth. Down 4–1 with four minutes left, the Golden Flyers called a timeout to regroup but were unable to find an answer with the net empty as the Soaring Eagles secured the UCHC Championship.
SCORING
UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles will compete in the NCAA Tournament. They will find out tomorrow, March 8, who and where they will play in the first round.
