UTICA, N.Y. – The Elmira College women’s ice hockey program tallied a pair of power-play goals in the third period to rally from a 2-0 deficit but would ultimately fall short in overtime against Utica, 3-2 in the championship game of the Utica University Kickoff Tournament.
JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: No. 5 Elmira 2, No. 13 Utica 3 (OT)
LOCATION: Utica, New York | Nexus Center
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (1-1), Utica (1-1)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Utica would find the back of the net first in the contest as Molly Pedone gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead at the 13:37 mark of the second period. The Pioneers doubled their lead late in the period as Kaci Ryder found the back of the net at the 18:16 mark to make it 2-0.
- Elmira started its comeback just over four minutes into the third period as the Soaring Eagles would convert on the power-play. MK Boyle ’26 trimmed the deficit for the Purple & Gold to 2-1 as her first goal of the season would be assisted by Gabby Dougherty ’26 and Emily Lenzen ’24.
- The power-play would help the Soaring Eagles to knot the score with just under five minutes left to play in the third period as Erika Goleniak ’25 beat the Utica goalkeeper to make it 2-2 at the 15:36 mark. Alayna Toole ’26 added the assist on Goleniak’s equalizer for the Purple & Gold.
- Elmira was called for a trip with just over a minute left in regulation, and the Pioneers had the advantage of skating 4-on-3 to begin the overtime frame. Utica converted just 38 seconds into overtime to secure the 3-2 victory and the championship of their own tournament.
- Leonie-Louise Kuehberger ’25 recorded 25 saves for the Soaring Eagles, including 11 in the second period. The Soaring Eagles held a 35-28 advantage in shots on goal while also winning 38 of 62 faceoffs in the contest.
UP NEXT: The Soaring Eagles turn their attention to NEHC action next weekend as the Purple & Gold host Norwich University at the Murray Athletic Center on Friday at 6:00 P.M. and Saturday at 3:00 P.M.
