MIDDLEBURY, VT. – The third-ranked Elmira College women’s ice hockey program will face second-ranked Plattsburgh State on the road in a third-place matchup on Saturday, March 19 at 3:00 p.m. The 2022 NCAA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Championship is being played at Chip Kenyon Arena on the campus of Middlebury College.
The four remaining teams in the 2022 NCAA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Championship include No. 1 Middlebury, No. 2 Plattsburgh, No. 3 Elmira, and No. 5 Gustavus Adolphus. Middlebury and Gustavus Adolphus will play for a national championship on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. following victories by both programs in the semifinals on Friday. The Panthers are seeking their fourth national title in program history, while the Gusties are searching for their first-ever national championship.
Elmira dropped a close 3-2 decision on Friday night against top-ranked Middlebury as the Purple & Gold had their 15-game winning streak snapped at the hands of the Panthers. Eliza Beaudin ’22 and Holley Riva ’23 both scored in the contest for EC, while Leonie-Louise Kuehberger ’25 finished with 29 saves in net for the Soaring Eagles. Plattsburgh State had its championship hopes cut short following a 5-1 loss on Friday afternoon against Gustavus Adolphus. Emma Killeen scored the lone goals for the Cardinals, while Chloe Beaubien and Ashley Davis shared time in net for Plattsburgh.
This will be the sixth meeting between Elmira and Plattsburgh in the NCAA Tournament, while the Cardinals hold a 34-23-3 record in the head-to-head series against the Soaring Eagles dating back to the inaugural matchup on November 9, 2001. Elmira won the last postseason meeting against the Cardinals, with the Soaring Eagles defeating Plattsburgh, 3-2 in double-overtime, in the 2018 NCAA DIII semifinals to advance to the national championship game. The two programs met for the national championship contest in 2015 as the Cardinals recorded a 3-2 victory.Â
Elmira won the first postseason matchup against Plattsburgh as the Soaring Eagles recorded a 4-3 victory in the semifinals during the 2005 tournament. The Cardinals captured three consecutive victories in 2006, 2008, and 2015. This will be the first-time that Elmira and Plattsburgh square-off in the third-place matchup in the 61st all-time meeting between the former ECAC West foes.Â
Elmira advanced in the tournament last week after defeating Nazareth, 2-1, in the quarterfinal round at Bill Gray’s Iceplex. The Soaring Eagles captured their first New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) Championship after defeating Castleton at home, 4-0. EC went 17-0 during the regular season against NEHC opponents while compiling an overall record of 24-2-1 entering the tournament. Plattsburgh advanced in the tournament last week after surviving in overtime against No. 9 Colby, 3-2, in the quarterfinal round at home. The Cardinals captured the NEWHL Championship after defeating SUNY Cortland in overtime at home, 4-3. Plattsburgh went 17-0-1 during the regular season against NEWHL opponents while compiling an overall record of 24-2-1 entering the tournament.
For more information, including live webcasting of the semifinals, third-place game, and final, visit ncaa.com.
