PINE VALLEY, NY - The No. 2 seed Elmira College women's hockey team hosted the third-seeded Pioneers of Utica University in the UCHC Semifinals. Strong special teams helped secure the win for the Soaring Eagles as they defeated Utica, 2-1. Elmira improved to 18-5-2, while Utica had its season end with a 10-16-1 mark.

PLAY-BY-PLAY
Both teams started the afternoon by limiting scoring chances and feeling out the pace of the game. Amber Meluzio broke through nine minutes in with a perfect deflection off a Rian Comeau shot from the point. Four minutes later, Utica capitalized on a power play to level the score. An Elmira powerplay toward the end of the period generated a couple of shots, but the Soaring Eagles could not take advantage. Both sides went to the locker rooms tied at 1, with Elmira outshooting Utica 13–4.

The Pioneers started the second period strong, recording the first three shots on goal before drawing a penalty. Thirty seconds into the powerplay, another Elmira penalty resulted in a lengthy five-on-three for the Soaring Eagles to defend. The EC penalty kill was strong, not allowing a shot on goal as they successfully killed it off. Shortly after, Elmira went on the powerplay, and Anna Lugge's wrist shot found the back of the net to regain the lead. The Soaring Eagles began to tilt the ice, generating the next seven shots of the game, but Utica went on the powerplay once again. Olivia Last stood tall, making four saves to help EC maintain their 2–1 lead after two periods.

The Soaring Eagles started the third period off well, putting five shots on goal, but another Utica powerplay gave the Pioneers a chance to tie the game up. The EC penalty kill stepped up again, allowing no shots on net as they killed off the Utica powerplay. Elmira did well throughout the third period to not allow Utica back in the game, allowing just one shot the entire period as they secured the 2-1 victory.

SCORING

PERIOD	TIME	SCHOOL	GOAL	ASSIST(S)
1st	8:52	Elmira	Amber Meluzio	Rian Comeau, MK Boyle
1st	13:07	Utica	Kelsey Elliott	Tess Barrett, Veronica Houk
2nd	9:36	Elmira	Anna Lugge	MK Boyle, Savannah Barber

UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles will travel to Rochester to take on #1 Nazareth University in the UCHC Final on Saturday, March 7. Puck drop will be announced later this week.