No. 4 Elmira Storms Past Salem State 9-0

SALEM, Mass. – Holley Riva (Lakeville, Conn.) scored two goals and added a pair of assists as No. 4 Elmira coasted to a 9-0 NEHC victory over Salem State on Saturday afternoon at Rockett Arena. The Soaring Eagles remain undefeated and improve to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in conference. The Vikings lost their second straight league game to start the season and dip to 0-2 on the year. 

Elmira racked up 19 first period shots, but just one found the back of the net. Erika Goleniak (Canton, Mich.) tipped in a pass from Holley Riva (Lakeville, Conn.) at the 14:04 mark of the opening period for the lone goal of the period. Hannah Aveni (Melrose, Mass.) made 18 saves to keep the Vikings in the contest.

The Soaring Eagles made it 2-0 in the second as Lexi Hoffmann (Bellmore, N.Y.) spun in a power-play goal just 3:28 into the period. A Salem State line change led to a 2-on-1 breakaway for Elmira, which resulted in a goal as Sophie Compeau (Potsdam, N.Y.) easily beat Aveni for a 3-0 lead. Riva and McKenzie Schmidt (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) added back-to-back scores just over a minute apart as the Soaring Eagles used a four-goal second to take a commanding 5-0 lead.

Mary McCafferty (Wall Township, N.J.) slipped a wrister thru from the point, extending Elmira's lead to 6-0 early in the third. Elizabeth LePage (Swansea, Mass.) went top-shelf to make it 7-0 midway thru the period before Riva notched her second goal of the game for an 8-0 advantage. Alayna Toole (Rocky River, Ohio) added a score in the final seconds to cap the scoring, making the final 9-0.

Alayna Breivogel (Kenny Lake, Aalaska) made six saves in her first start of the season. Aveni recorded 50 saves before being replaced by injury in the third. Kaia Hollingsworth (Methuen, Mass.) allowed a goal and was credited with five saves for the Vikings, who were outshot 56-6.