ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira College Men’s Ice Hockey team rung in the New Year on Saturday evening, picking up a much needed win over the #14 nationally-ranked Mules from Colby College, 3-1. With the win, the Soaring Eagles picked up its first win at First Arena since December 6, 2014 when defeating Wesleyan University 7-6.
The Purple & Gold would take a 1-0 lead into the second period after Nathan Young ’26 scored the game-opening goal before Chance Gorman ’24 scored at the 13:06 mark off a Mule turnover, the game-winner. Kerfalla Toure ’26 would close out 2022 with an empty-netter with 1:13 remaining in regulation to send EC away with the 3-1 victory.
Brody Haynes ’26 would be credited with his first collegiate win between the pipes, making 21 saves for the Soaring Eagles.
JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 3, #14 Colby College 4
LOCATION: Elmira, New York | First Arena
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (8-5-0, 5-1-0 NEHC), Colby (6-3-0, 4-1-0 NESCAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Much like yesterday, the Soaring Eagles and its opponent battled through the first ten plus minutes of the first period before someone found the back of the net. For Elmira, it was Young who would open the scoring in just his fifth game of the season, scoring at the 15:53 mark off an assist from Daniel Dimon ’24, who fed a pass up the length of the ice. For Dimon, it was his first of two assist on the evening. In the first period, Haynes made eight saves in net.
The second period would go scoreless for both teams, while the Soaring Eagles led the faceoff battle 24-20 with Shawn Kennedy ’24 contributing nine through two periods. Additionally, Elmira was able to fend off a trio of Colby shots which hit the post, in addition to two Colby power-play opportunities after Matt York ’26 was sent to the box on two occasions.
In the third, the period would remain quiet through 13 minutes of play from an offensive standpoint before Gorman was able to score off a Mule turnover to put Elmira on top 2-0. Just over a minute later, it was Colby who would find the back of the net after Abdoul Diouf scored on an assist from John McElaney to cut the Soaring Eagle lead back down to one. After being forced to pull the goaltender, who was off for just eight seconds, Elmira would convert after Dimon found Toure for the third and final goal of the contest.
UP NEXT:
The Purple & Gold will hit the road for the next two weekends, beginning with its matchup at Norwich on January 6.
