ASTON, Pa. — After an extremely close contest the previous night, the third-ranked Elmira College women’s ice hockey team validated its national ranking this afternoon with a 7-0 drubbing of Neumann University. Eight different Soaring Eagles registered points, but no one had a better day than Louisa Lippiatt Durnell ’18, who produced a career-high five points on two goals and three assists.
Lippiatt Durnell opened the game’s scoring just 52 seconds into regulation with her first tally of the year. The East Sussex, England, scored on an Elmira power play, EC’s first of the 2016-17 season, while second-year forwards Maddy Jerolman ’19 and Katie Granato ’19 were credited with assists.
The Soaring Eagles would strike again on the power play not too long after, as Sarah Hughson ’18 knocked in her first goal of the year at the 7:49 mark of the opening period. Lippiatt Durnell and Jerolman picked up assists on EC’s final goal of the period.
As good as the Soaring Eagles were in the opening 20 minutes, they were even better during the second stanza. Elmira scored thrice in the period on goals from Sydney Fischer ’17 and Granato, their first of the season, as well as a tally from Lippiatt Durnell, which pushed the Purple and Gold lead to 5-0.
Fischer’s tally came just 2:43 into the second period on an assist from Kyra McDonald ’18, who picked up her first helper of the 2016-17 campaign. Granato connected on an EC power play just over two minutes later at the 4:38 mark. Lippiatt Durnell was credited with an assist on the Granato goal, before capping the period’s scoring with a goal of her own at the 14:40 mark. Senior captain Jessica Prance ’17 picked up an assist on EC’s fifth goal of the period, as the Chaumont, New York, native recorded her first point of the year.
Elmira kept its foot on the gas pedal in the final 20 minutes, scoring a pair of goals during a 4:44 stretch in the middle portion of the third period. EC’s lethal power-play attack continued to click, as Erin Kishoni ’18 scored with the extra skater at the 8:14 mark. Kishoni’s goal, which was the second of her collegiate career, was assisted by Lippiatt Durnell, capping the international forward’s five-point afternoon.
Concluding the day’s scoring was senior forward Fischer, who registered her second tally of the afternoon, unassisted, at the 12:58 mark.
In Her Own Words…
Head Coach Kelsea Martalock shares her thoughts on Elmira’s play today…
“We focused on our game today, playing simple, making the plays and working together top to bottom as a team. Today’s win was a solid team effort.”
Coach Martalock shares her thoughts on Lippiatt Durnell’s five-point afternoon…
“Louisa had a big game. Her line was clicking and power play unit was as well. When she gets rolling she is a point getter, which is expected from her, and she knows that’s her role.”
Coach Martalock reflects on Elmira’s power-play efficiency…
“Our special teams did great today. Going into the weekend it was something we focused on and I think today it finally clicked. Our goal for the day was to capitalize on the power play, which we did, and the penalty-kill unit was to allow nothing. The team accomplished both.”
Coach Martalock talks about Elmira’s 2-0 start heading into its home opener next Friday…
“The two wins are a great start and a good feeling to come off moving forward. The atmosphere right now is high energy and excitement. Our team knows the goal and to have this group be so committed to it and doing what it takes to win is a good feeling. Today they played our brand of hockey and I think for them to see the success our game can have just makes them even hungry for more.”
Turning Point
After struggling to find the back of the cage in Friday night’s season opener, Elmira found its scoring touch early and often this afternoon. Much of Elmira’s success on the offensive end of the ice can be attributed to EC’s successful power-play unit that connected four times on nine opportunities, after going 0-for-3 with the extra skater the night before.
Inside the Box Score
Elmira thoroughly dominated in the shots department, 56-15.
EC’s power-play unit connected on 4-of-9 chances.
The Elmira penalty killers denied Neumann on all eight of its power-play opportunities.
Eight different players registered points for Elmira.
Lippiatt Durnell finished with five points on two goals and three assists.
Fischer scored a pair of goals, including an unassisted tally.
Granato turned in a two-point performance with one power-play goal and an assist.
Jerolman also recorded two points on a pair of helpers.
Hughson, McDonald and Prance all finished with one point apiece.
Hughson scored EC’s second power-play goal of the day.
McDonald and Prance were credited with their first assists of the season.
Kyle Nelson ’17 stopped 15 shots in her first shutout victory of the year.
News and Notes
Elmira improved to 2-0-0 on the year.
The Soaring Eagles are 35-0-1 all-time against Neumann.
EC’s extended its consecutive win streak over the Knights to 12 games.
Elmira picked up its first shutout win since February 6, 2016 (5-0 vs. Buffalo St.).
Eight different players logged points for Elmira.
The last time Elmira had eight or more point scorers dates back to an 8-1 EC win over Oswego on February 19, 2016.
Lippiatt Durnell’s five points set a new career-best for the third-year forward.
Lippiatt Durnell’s five points are the most by an EC skater since December 7, 2014, when former AHCA National Player of the Year Ashley Ryan ’15 logged five against SUNY Potsdam.
Lippiatt Durnell logged her first three-assist outing since last year’s NCAA Semifinal.
Fischer, Jerolman, Granato and Lippiatt Durnell logged their first multi-point games of the season.
Kishoni’s tally was the second of her EC career.
Nelson earned the sixth shutout of her collegiate career.
Nelson’s shutout win is her first since last year’s 8-0 win over Neumann.
Up Next
Elmira will look to continue its winning ways this Friday, November 11th, when the Soaring Eagles take on Chatham University in ECAC West Conference action. Friday’s bout is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start at Elmira’s Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena in Pine Valley, New York.
