Box Score NORTHFIELD, Vt. – In a rematch of last year's NCAA
Division III semifinal game, Norwich once again got the better of
Elmira as the Cadets defeated the Soaring Eagles 3-1 in the
East/West Hockey Classic finale at Kreitzberg Arena on
Saturday.
Norwich senior F Sophie Leclerc notched her
second goal of the season by tipping a shot top shelf and over the
shoulder of Elmira goalie Lauren Sullivan to open the scoring at
the 12:23 mark of the second period. Junior D
Sarianne Lynn picked up the primary assist after
her initial shot from the point was deflected by Leclerc crossing
between the circles in front of the net.
Norwich (1-1, 0-0 ECAC East) pushed the lead to 2-0 when
freshman F Renee Lortie capitalized on a defensive
miscue by Elmira, which allowed her in on a clear breakaway. Lortie
deked Sullivan out before shoveling the puck in on her backhand at
the 16:32 mark.
Just 41 seconds later, Caitie Banfield picked
up her first goal of the season off a feed from Leclerc to give the
Cadets a 3-0 advantage.
Elmira (1-1, 0-0 ECAC West) cut the lead to 3-1 with its first
and only goal from Caitlin Metcalf, who punched home a loose
rebound in front off a scrum. Amber Tirri picked up the assist for
the Soaring Eagles.
Both teams held each other scoreless in the third period and
Elmira was never able to mount any sustained offensive pressure,
while Norwich seemed comfortable defending the two-goal lead.
Elmira outshot the Cadets 8-3 in the first period, but the
Cadets weren't short of quality scoring chances. With six
minutes to go, Julie Fortier hit the post after
Sullivan couldn't corral Jillyane
DeBus' initial shot.
Elmira nearly scored a minute later when Alex Bresler made a
pass through two Norwich defensemen to find a streaking Tori
Charron all alone in the slot, however, Norwich senior G
Cindy Fortin got a piece of the shot and deflected
it high and wide.
With 2:30 to go Leclerc made a textbook outlet pass to
Melissa Rundlett to create a 2-on-1 odd man rush.
Rundlett came in on goal and tried a backhand pass to Banfield but,
she couldn't find the handle off the saucer pass.
Norwich outshot Elmira 32-20.
Fortin made 19 saves to pick up her first win of the season and
the 33rd of her career. Sullivan made 29 stops and
was saddled with the loss for Elmira.
In the first game on Saturday, R.I.T. downed New England College
8-0.
Norwich continues its four-game home stand to start the season
next Friday, Nov. 5, when the Cadets host Castleton State at 7 p.m.
at Kreitzberg Arena.
All-Tournament Team-
F. Katie Stack, R.I.T.
F. Sarah Dagg, R.I.T.
F. Sophie Leclerc, Norwich
D. Katy Walker, Elmira
D. Traci Galbraith, R.I.T.
G. Cindy Fortin, Norwich
MVP- (Goalie) Laura Chamberlain, R.I.T.
