ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The No. 2-nationally ranked Elmira College women’s ice hockey team is once again the favorite to win the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC), as the league’s 10 head coaches voted the Soaring Eagles atop the UCHC Women’s Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
The defending UCHC champion and national runner-up, EC was the unanimous favorite in the conference ahead of the 2018-19 campaign, as the Soaring Eagles received all 10 first-place votes and 100 total points. Elmira finished 17 points ahead of second-place William Smith (83). Utica (79), Stevenson (70) and Manhattanville (65) rounded out the top five in order.
Although the Purple and Gold graduated several key players, such as All-America selections Sarah Hughson ’18 and Kelcey Crawford ’18, and 2017-18 UCHC Defensive Player of the Year Rachel Grampp ’18, Elmira will hit the ice with a bevy of returning talent. The senior class includes the likes of former All-American Kristin Chivers ’19 and team captain Meg Lahey ’19 on defense, plus All-UCHC forwards Katie Granato ’19 and Shannon Strawinski ’19. The sophomore Class of 2021 also produced two All-Rookie selections a year ago in Emma Crocker ’21 and Devyn Gilman ’21 and was bolstered even further by the addition of Division I transfer Ronnie Callahan ’21, a former Syracuse University forward.
In 2017-18, the Soaring Eagles rolled through the conference slate, posting a superb 15-0-1 record against UCHC opponents. Elmira clinched home ice for the UCHC Tournament in the conference’s inaugural season and topped Utica in the semis, 7-1, before shutting out the Stevenson Mustangs in a 5-0 victory to hoist the first-ever UCHC title trophy.
The remarkable postseason run continued with a 2-0 win over West Region rival, No. 5/5 Adrian, at the Murray Athletic Center in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. In the national semifinals, the Soaring Eagles posted one of the greatest comebacks in Division III playoff history by overcoming a two-goal deficit to stun No. 2/1 Plattsburgh State. However, this year’s preseason No. 1, Norwich, would claim the NCAA title in front of a home crowd at Kreitzberg Arena by a narrow 2-1 final score.
The stage is set for a rematch of the 2017-18 title game, as second-ranked Elmira hosts No. 1 Norwich to kick off the 2018-19 campaign on Saturday, October 27. It marks just the second time in Division III history that the two reigning NCAA finalists will meet to start the season. The opening puck drop is slated for 3:00 p.m. inside the Murray Athletic Center.
2018-19 UCHC Women’s Preseason Coaches’ Poll
# School Points (First-Place Votes)
1 Elmira 100 (10)
2 William Smith 83 pts
3 Utica 79 pts
4 Stevenson 70 pts
5 Manhattanville 65 pts
6 Neumann 46 pts
7 Chatham 38 pts
8 Nazareth 33 pts
9 Lebanon Valley 19 pts
10 King’s (PA) 17 pts
