Women’s Hockey: Elmira blanks Norwich 3-0

Courtesy Norwich Sports Information

NORTHFIELD –– The Norwich University women’s ice hockey team fell for the second straight time in a rematch of the 2018 NCAA Division III National Championship game vs. Elmira College on Sunday afternoon at Kreitzberg Arena in the opening game of the ninth annual East-West Hockey Classic.

No. 5-ranked Elmira (9-2-1) got goals from Meg Lahey, Ariella Haas and Shannon Strawinski as well as 17 saves from Stephanie Martin as the Soaring Eagles rolled to a 3-0 victory to sweep the season series. Elmira also downed Norwich 4-2 in each team’s season opener back in October.

After a scoreless first period, Elmira finally broke the ice at the 11:16 mark with a power play goal by Lahey off assists from Maddy Jerolman and Kristin Chivers. Lahey sniped a wrist shot over the glove of a sprawled out Emily Lambert (Riverview, Mich.) to give the Soaring Eagles a 1-0 lead.

Elmira scored again at the 13:37 mark just seconds after another NU penalty expired to increase the lead to 2-0 with Ariella Haas sniping a wrist shot off the cross bar on a pass from Jerolman. Lahey had the second assist on the goal.

The Soaring Eagles finished the scoring at the 18:55 mark of the third period with Shannon Strawinski beating Lambert over the glove from the top of the slot for another power play goal off assists from Katie Granato and Maddy Evangelous.

Elmira finished 2-for-5 on the power play, while Norwich was 0-for-2 in its chances on the player advantage.

Lambert made 21 saves for Norwich to fall to 6-2-0 on the season. Martin improved to 7-1-1 for Elmira.

Norwich will look to rebound on Monday afternoon when they take on the loser of No. 1-ranked Adrian and No. 2-ranked Plattsburgh State in the consolation game. Elmira will meet the winner at 4 p.m. to cap off the East-West Hockey Classic.