MIDDLEBURY, Vt. -- For the second day in a row, Elmira found itself with a one-goal lead and less than five minutes to play. This time, however, the Soaring Eagles withstood Amherst's attack to pull out the 3-2 victory in the final day of the Cardinal-Panther Classic. Kyle Nelson, in her second career start, made 27 saves for the win.
The Soaring Eagles took the ice looking to rebound from Saturday's last-minute defeat to Middlebury and got off to a great start with a goal 15 minutes into the game. Lindsay Burrows dumped the puck behind the goal where it was collected by Ashton Hogan. Hogan then found Cassidy Delainey in front of the net for the quick one-timer past the Amherst goaltender. The Lord Jeffs had a chance to tie the score late in the first period, but Nelson stifled Amherst's breakaway attempt as the clock expired.
Amherst was able to tie the game six minutes into the second period, capitalizing on its second power-play opportunity of the day. The two teams played even hockey for most of the rest of the period, but the Purple and Gold retook the lead with 1:01 remaining in the second stanza. The Lord Jeffs picked up two penalties within four seconds of each other, putting EC in a five-on-three power play for almost two minutes. The Soaring Eagles took advantage of the extra skaters as Tanis Lamoureux put home her sixth goal of the year. Ashley Ryan and Delainey picked up assists on the play. Elmira took the 2-1 advantage into the third period.
Amherst again tied the game early on in the third period, but EC wasted no time in regaining the lead. Just one minute after the Lord Jeffs tied the game, Erin Weston redirected a Brooke Wilgosh shot for the go-ahead goal. Ryan also picked up her second assist on the goal. Amherst pressured EC for the equalizer down the stretch but Nelson and the Elmira defense stood strong to preserve the 3-2 win.
For their efforts throughout the two days of competition, Wilgosh and Lamoureux were named to the all-tournament team. Wilgosh finished the weekend with three assists for three points while Lamoureux tallied two goals and one assist for three points.
No. 1 Plattsburgh State 2, No. 2 Middlebury 0
MIDDLEBURY, Vt. -- Giovanna Senese scored both Cardinal goals as top-ranked Plattsburgh State remained unbeaten with a 2-0 victory against No. 2 Middlebury at the ninth annual Panther/Cardinal Classic.
The Cardinals move to 9-0-1 on the year, surrendering just one goal this season in the first semester. The loss marked the first of the season for the Panthers, who drop to 5-1-0 overall.
Sydney Aveson was joined by Senese and Allison Era on the Panther/Cardinal Classic All-Tournament Team. Katie Sullivan and Carly Watson of Middlebury also received All-Tournament nods while Hayley Opperman represented Amherst. Elmira's Brooke Wilgosh and Tanis Lamoureux were also recognized.
