Elmira Earns Back-to-Back NEHC Crown
Posted: Mar 09, 2025

Elmira Earns Back-to-Back NEHC Crown

Release and photo courtesy of Elmira College Athletics Communications. Original Release here. 

NORTHFIELD, VT. – Saturday marked the final time that the Mariano Cup would be awarded in New England Hockey Conference action. The No. 2 seed Elmira College Soaring Eagles recorded a 1-0 shutout against the No. 1 seed Norwich University Cadets inside Kreitzberg Arena.

Elmira closes its four years as a member of the NEHC with three Mariano Cups (2022, 2024, 2025) and avenged its 2-0 loss to Norwich in the 2023 championship at the Murray Athletic Center.
 
JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 1, Norwich 0
LOCATION: Northfield, Vermont | Kreitzberg Arena
TEAM RECORDS: No. 2 Elmira (20-7-1), No. 1 Norwich (19-8-0)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • Elmira applied the pressure right from the start. The Soaring Eagles recorded 10 shots on goal in the first period, compared to three for the Cadets. Norwich did its best to stop shots from the points, as the Cadets blocked five would-be shots.
  • The Soaring Eagles would break the ice in the second period as Bri Conger deflected a shot past Norwich goaltender Leocadia Clark at the 8:44 mark to put Elmira up 1-0. The initial shot would be taken by Erika Goleniak, who drove the net off a rush and fired the puck toward the net.
  • The Cadets would receive the first power-play opportunity of the game in the second period when Iliana Smith was penalized for a body check at the 11:37 mark. Norwich had a couple of good chances, recording four shots on goal, but was thwarted by Elmira goaltender Sara Sevcikova.
  • Elmira also had an opportunity with the extra skater as Julia Richardson was called for hooking at the 15:53 mark of the second period. The Soaring Eagles would not be able to generate a shot on goal with the extra skater.
  • Norwich was awarded a pair of power-play opportunities in the third period as the Cadets sought the equalizer against the Soaring Eagles. The Elmira penalty kill unit focused in and did not allow a single shot on goal to maintain the 1-0 lead.
  • Strong pressure from the Soaring Eagles forced Norwich to keep Clark in the net instead of being able to pull its goaltender for an extra skater in the closing minutes of the contest.
  • In goal for Elmira, Sevcikova notched a shutout as she stopped 18 shots from the Cadets. For Norwich, Clark stopped 26 of the 27 shots that she faced. The Soaring Eagles finished the game with six blocked shots, as Sophie Gregory paced EC with two.
  • After the contest, Conger, Goleniak, and Sevcikova were selected for the NEHC All-Tournament Team. Sevcikova was also recognized as the NEHC Tournament MVP after recording her sixth shutout of the season for Elmira.

UP NEXT: The Soaring Eagles will wait to see who their opponent will be in the 2025 DIII women's ice hockey championship, as the selection show will be streamed on Sunday, March 9, at 8:30 p.m. on NCAA.com. The first round will begin on Saturday, March 15, at campus sites.

NEHC 2025 Women's All-Tournament Team