MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The Soaring Eagles traveled to Augsburg University to face the Auggies in the first round of the NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Tournament on Saturday afternoon. The Soaring Eagles came out on top, building a 3–1 lead during a thrilling second period and hung on to advance. Elmira improved to 20-5-2, while Augsburg finished 21-5-1.

PLAY-BY-PLAY
It was a quiet first period as both teams found their footing, with limited chances for either side throughout the frame. The Auggies put eight shots on net to the Soaring Eagles' three, but Olivia Last stood tall, stopping each one as the opening period ended scoreless.

Alayna Toole broke through to score the first goal of the game, ripping a shot past the Augsburg netminder. The Auggies answered quickly, as sophomore forward Jenna Allen equalized just 13 seconds later. Elmira responded well and began to take control in the offensive zone, and Rian Comeau restored the lead for EC when she tipped in a pass from MK Boyle. With thirty seconds left in the period, Augsburg looked to tie the game on a power play, but Boyle broke free and wired a shot into the back of the net for a shorthanded goal, giving the Soaring Eagles a 3–1 lead heading into the second intermission.

The Auggies pushed to get back in the game, generating shots and chances, but the Elmira defense and Last were up to the task. An Augsburg power play threatened as they fired four shots on Last, but she held firm. She turned aside five more shots over the final ten minutes to help the Soaring Eagles advance past the Auggies.

SCORING

PERIOD	TIME	SCHOOL	GOAL	ASSIST(S)
2nd	6:24	Elmira	Alayna Toole	Piper Andrews, Gabby Dougherty
2nd	6:37	Augsburg	Jenna Allen	Molly Grundhoffer
2nd	14:33	Elmira	Rian Comeau	MK Boyle
2nd	19:35	Elmira	MK Boyle	Gabby Dougherty, Iliana Smith

UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles will travel to Massachusetts to face Amherst College in the second round on Saturday, March 21 at 3:00 PM.