Elmira Edges Trinity, 2-1, in NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Courtesy Elmira Sports Information

Pine Valley, N.Y. – The Elmira women’s ice hockey team earned a 2-1 victory over visiting Trinity College in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The game was played very evenly as the shot total was 24 for the Soaring Eagles and 24 for the Bantams.

The Bantams got off to a quick start as they scored the game’s opening goal just 34 seconds into the contest. Celia Colman-McGaw (Manchester, Conn.) found herself in front of the EC goal with a loose puck after a booming shot from Laura Komarek (Plymouth, Minn.) was deflected by Elmira goalie Lauren Sullivan. Colman-McGaw was able to get her stick on the puck and send it to the back of the net for a Trinity goal. No more goals would be scored in the period as Elmira would fire off 10 shots to Trinity’s five.

The second period belonged to the Soaring Eagles as they fought hard to score two goals and go up 2-1 on the Bantams. EC would score their first goal of the game on a power play opportunity at the 8:13 mark in the period on a goal from Alex Bresler. Bresler positioned herself in front of the net as she tip a slap shot from Madison Johnston for the goal. Jamie Kivi would earn assist along with Johnston on the goal.

With the second period drawing to a conclusion, Jill DeBus would tip a slap shot from Lauryn DePaul for an EC goal. Her go ahead goal would be registered at the 19:14 mark in the period. Both teams managed to unleash eight shots apiece in the period but Elmira would enter the third period with a 2-1 lead.

Elmira would find themselves playing defense for most of the third period as Trinity pressured EC in their defensive zone. The Bantams outshot Elmira 11 to six in the period but Elmira goalie Sullivan was up to the challenge as she made brilliant save after brilliant save to ensure an EC victory, 2-1. Sullivan made 23 saves in 60 minutes of action.

With today’s win Elmira earns the right to travel to play in the NCAA Semifinals where they will face Norwich University on Saturday, March 19th.