PINE VALLEY, N.Y. — It took nearly 56 minutes to decide today’s winner between second-ranked Elmira College women’s ice hockey and Trinity College, as the two teams met for the first time in a regular season matchup in their respective histories. Elmira’s Jessica Prance ’17 would play the hero this evening by scoring the game-winning goal with 4:07 remaining in regulation to propel the Soaring Eagles to a 2-0 victory in the team’s final game of the 2016 calendar year.
Kyra McDonald ’18 began the game-winning scoring play by poking a pass along the boards to Ari Smith ’18, who skated out of the zone and dumped a pass to Prance. The lead pass allowed Prance to split a pair of Bantam defenders, before sliding a low-lining shot in the slot past Trinity’s Jess Thulin, glove-side, for the score.
Trailing 1-0, Trinity opted to pull its goalie from the cage at the 18:34 mark in hopes of scoring an equalizing goal. However, with 39 seconds remaining in the third period, Elmira’s Maddie Evangelous ’19 scored on the empty net to solidify a 2-0 Soaring Eagle victory. Assisting on the empty-net goal were Maddy Jerolman ’19 and Kristin Chivers ’19, who quickly got the puck to Evangelous prior to her launching a long shot from center ice for the goal.
Elmira’s starting netminder, Kelcey Crawford ’18, made 18 saves en route to her third victory this season. Crawford was tested early by the Bantams, turning away 10 shots in the first period, while holding Trinity scoreless on all five of the team’s power-play chances this evening. With the win, Crawford improved to 3-0-0 on the year, with all three victories coming in shutout fashion.
Crawford’s counterpart, Thulin, had an impressive game between the pipes for Trinity. The junior netminder stopped 37 shots this afternoon, including a pair of 14-save efforts in the first and second periods.
In His Own Words…
Head Coach Tim Crowley shares his thoughts on Elmira’s play today…
“I thought we were up and down for a bit. Once we played with a bit more structure and system-strong, we were able to create better chances. It was another challenge though today. I thought Trinity was a very good team who competed every shift.”
Coach Crowley talks about Prance’s game-winning goal…
“I thought Prance played a sound game and came through with a clutch goal. We can’t forget the play Ari made as well on the blue. I thought we created a lot of grade A’s, but we just couldn’t cash in. It’s something we’ll work on once we get back from break.”
Coach Crowley shares his thoughts on Crawford’s play in cage…
“Kelcey was solid throughout the game. She had great rebound control and when they did create some offense, she came up with some big saves when we needed them, which is what you want from your goaltender.”
Coach Crowley on ending the 2016 calendar year with a win…
“It’s always great to end the semester with a win, but at the same time still feel like there’s some work to do. We’ll look forward to the break and start concentrating on Middlebury once everyone gets back.”
Turning Point
Neither team was able to take advantage of their power-play chances, as Elmira and Trinity went a combined 0-for-10 with the extra skater. A large part of the scoreless power-play chances had to do with the outstanding play by both goaltenders this afternoon – Elmira’s Kelcey Crawford and Trinity’s Jess Thulin. However, senior Jessica Prance was finally able to break through for the deciding goal late in the third, her second of the season, which lifted the Soaring Eagles past the Bantams.
Inside the Box Score
The Soaring Eagles outshot the Bantams 39-to-18.
Both teams combined to go 0-for-10 on the power play.
Elmira went 0-for-5 on the power play, while Trinity was 0-for-5 with the extra skater.
Crawford finished with 18 saves in a shutout effort for the Purple and Gold.
Prance and Evangelous were the two goal scorers for the Soaring Eagles.
Prance’s goal was the game-winning tally.
Smith, McDonald, Jerolman and Chivers were credited with assists.
Trinity’s Thulin made 37 saves in net.
News and Notes
The Soaring Eagles remained unbeaten on the year at 7-0-1.
EC’s home record improves to 3-0-1.
The Purple and Gold remain undefeated in the all-time series against the Bantams, 3-0-0.
Today’s contest marked the first regular-season matchup between the two teams.
Elmira earned its fourth shutout of the season.
Prance’s goal was her second of the season.
Crawford posted her team-leading third shutout, the ninth of her collegiate career.
Crawford also holds an unblemished 3-0-0 record on the year.
Smith’s assist was her first of the season.
McDonald picked up her second assist of the season.
Jerolman was credited with her fifth helper of the year.
Up Next
The Soaring Eagles return to action three weeks from now, when EC travels to challenge sixth-ranked Middlebury College on Monday, January 2nd. The contest is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m.
