PREVIEW: Elmira vs. Middlebury (NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Semifinal Matchup)

ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira College women’s ice hockey program will travel to River Falls, Wisconsin this week to take part in the 2024 NCAA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Championship. The #10 seeded Soaring Eagles, who will be making its 11th appearance all-time in the semifinal round, are slated to take on #6 seeded Middlebury in a rematch of the 2022 semifinals, a game that the Panthers skated to a 3-2 victory in.

Elmira College Women’s Ice Hockey vs. Amherst (NCAA Semifinal Round)
Date: Friday, March 15, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM (CST) / 4:00 PM (EST)
Location: Hunt Arena
Address: 1100 S Main St., River Falls, WI 54022
Live Broadcast: https://rebrand.ly/kh6sh6x 
Live Stats: https://rebrand.ly/r5pe9p4 

TICKET INFORMATION:

• Tickets will be $15 for adults and $10 for students/seniors. Youth ages 2 and under are free.
• All-session tickets will be $25 for adults and $15 for students/seniors.
• There are NO INDIVIDUAL ADVANCED TICKETS available for sale.
• Tickets will be sold at the door 90 minutes prior to the start of the game.
• Questions/inquiries: Call 715-425-4048

FROZEN FOUR SCHEDULE:

GAME PREVIEW:

• The Soaring Eagles advanced to the Frozen Four following a 2-1 overtime victory at #5 Amherst College on Saturday afternoon. The overtime tally came from Emily Lenzen ’24 with 9:51 remaining in the first overtime frame. The goal was assisted by Anna Lugge ’27 and Emma Bradbury ’26. Bradbury would score Elmira’s first goal of the contest with 13:17 remaining in the second period to give Elmira the lead. With the victory, the Soaring Eagles improved to 12-6-1 all-time against the Mammoths, which includes a current four game winning streak. 
• Elmira is slated to take on Middlebury in the semifinal round on Friday, a rematch of the 2022 semifinals in which the Panthers came out on top 3-2 en route to a National Championship. Despite routinely seeing each other on an annual basis at the Cardinal-Panther Classic, the Soaring Eagles and Panthers have yet to square off this season. All-time, Middlebury holds a 13-10-4 advantage in head-to-head meetings, with 18 of 27 games being decided by one goal or fewer (including ties).
• In the NCAA Tournament, the Soaring Eagles are 2-3 all-time against the Panthers, while winning one of its three National Championships against the opposition (2013)
• This week, Elmira head coach Greg Haney was selected a Division III Women’s CCM/AHCA Coach of the Year Finalist, and will square off against four-time award winner Bill Mandigo from Middlebury for the first time as a head coach. 
• The Panthers carry an 18-6-4 record into the NCAA Semifinals, which includes eight wins and a tie in their last nine outings. Middlebury secured the NESCAC Championship with a 4-0 victory over Hamilton College before defeating Western New England (8-0) and Plattsburgh (2-0) in the NCAA First Round and Quarterfinals, respectively. 
• In all, the Panthers have six players with 15 points or more this season, including Avery McInerny and Kate Flynn, who lead the charge with 23 and 21 points, respectively. Flynn leads the team with 15 goals, while no other Panthers has eclipsed double-figures.
• For Elmira, 11 players have registered 15 points or more this season, led by Erika Goleniak ’25 with 32 (18 assists, 14 goals). Additionally, Claire Meeder ’23, Anna Lugge ’27, and Emily Lenzen ’24 have each scored 20 or more points. 
• The Soaring Eagles hold the second best scoring defense in the country (0.90 GAA) behind Amherst (0.89), while the Panthers rank 11th (1.25). 

CAMPUS MAP:

No. 45b: Hunt Arena / PAY 3: Parking
This parking space is located in front of Hunt Arena and accessed via South Main St. or Emogene Nelson Avenue. If using GPS, you will find the location at 1100 S Main St., River Falls, WI 54022.