#18 Elmira Hands Salem State 5-0 Loss

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications 

PINE VALLEY, N.Y.- On Friday evening, Salem State began their NEHC conference campaign with a 5-0 loss against #18 Elmira College at Murray Athletic Center. The Soaring Eagles improved to 3-2, 2-1 while the Vikings dropped to 1-4, 0-1.  

Prior to the game coach Kizzie expressed what it would take to beat Elmira. "Everybody knows if you want to get where you want, you go through Elmira. Like a couple of other teams in the conference, you have to bring speed, you got to bring some aggression [and] you have got to be smart. You have to come with an all around game, and that's what is going to take to be successful."    

In the opening minutes of the game, Elmira's was on a two-on-one breakaway, but Kaia Hollingsworth (Methuen, Mass.) made a brilliant save between her legs on the left side of the net to keep the score level. Aislinn Bennett (Milford, Mass.)  then took a shot from about 15 feet out, but Soaring Eagles goaltender Leonie Kuehberger (Hingham, Mass.) was up to the task and made a great save. 

Salem State found themselves in some early penalty trouble, but were able to kill off two penalties within the first ten minutes of the game. Unfortunately, Elmira struck first, with Payton Nicksic (Baraboo, Wis.) scoring on the right side of the net from about 12 feet out, assisted by Sabrina Shvartsman (Wilmette, Ill) and Claire Meeder (Woodbury, Minn.) with the time of the goal being 9:58 during the first period. 

As the first period progressed, Madi Morton (Colorado Springs, Colo) looked to take a shot from about 18 feet out for the Soaring Eagles, but her attempt was blocked by Alexis Thomas (Barnstable, Mass.). Throughout the period, Elmira dominated in the Salem State zone, but the Vikings did a great job stealing the puck from the Soaring Eagles. 

After the game, coach Kizzie reflected on the first period. "We played well in the first period. They only had [one] goal that Kaia made a good save on…"     

Elmira continued to press for another goal, with a couple of players getting close to the right side of the net, but alternative captain Jessica Robert made a sliding dive to prevent the Soaring Eagles from scoring. 

At the end of the first period, Hollingsworth had made an impressive 14 saves out of 15 shots faced, while Kuehberger had saved all two shots she faced. Elmira had failed to convert on all three of their power play opportunities, while Salem State was 0 for 1. In terms of faceoffs, the Soaring Eagles won 12 out of 16 compared to Salem State's four out of 16. 

At the start of the second period Anna Lugge (Freeburg, Ill) of Elmira shot a hard one towards the net, but Hollingsworth, made an impressive save on the right side of the net. Erika Goleniak (Canton, Mich.)  took advantage of a loose puck and scored from the left side, extending the lead to 2-0 in favor of the Eagles. Kelly Millins (Elmhurst, Ill.) assisted Goleniak on the goal. The time of the goal was 6:30 of the second period. 

Elmira continued to dominate the Vikings' zone and scored a power play goal at 10:06, thanks to Alayna Toole (Rocky River, Ohio) as she scored from the left side while Hollingsworth was changing direction from the right to left side. Goleniak and Millins assisted Toole on the goal.  

Both teams were four-on-four as Bennett and Bradbury went to the box, but neither team could execute. Late into the second period, Elmira was still dominating Salem State's zone. The Vikings found themselves with a three-point deficit at the end of the second period. Hollingsworth saved 39 of 42 shots, while Kuehberger saved all three shots. 

The Vikings were 0 for 2 on the power play, and the Soaring Eagles were one for seven on the power play. Elmira won 32 of 40 faceoffs, while Salem State was 8 for 40 on faceoffs. 

The Vikings were looking for a comeback in the last twenty minutes of play, but Elmira continued to put pressure on the Vikings' zone. Hollingsworth made an incredible dive to prevent Elmira from scoring any further. However, Elmira then shot the puck that went to Hollingsworth's left side of her padding, but right there was Emily Lenzen, 18 feet from the net, who shot one into the left side of the net. Lugge and McCarrick got credit for the assists. As the period progressed, Nicksic hit the crossbar and a few seconds later, she scored her second goal of the game through Hollingsworth's legs, increasing Elmira's lead to 5-0. Anna Lugge and Lexi Hoffman assisted Nicksic in the goal. 

Hollingsworth saved 56 of 61 shots, while Kehberger saved all six shots. Overall, Elmira was 1 for 7 on the power play, compared to Salem State's 0 for 2. The Soaring Eagles won 46 of 56 face offs, while the Vikings won only 10 of 46 faceoffs. 

After the game Hollingsworth talked about making some tough saves limiting the damage by the Soaring Eagles. "I definitely think I had a good game today. I made some good saves that kept my team in it. I am proud of the performance that I had." 

Salem State will be looking to bounce back tomorrow afternoon as they continue their road trip against William Smith at 4:00 p.m.