RYE, N.Y. — The Manhattanville women's ice hockey team entered its final weekend of home play at the Playland Ice Casino, facing the Soaring Eagles of Elmira College Friday night. Olivia Cimorelli (West Deptford, N.J./The Hill School / Ironbound Elite) posted a .939 save percentage, stopping 31 of the 33 shots she faced, but the Valiant attack could not find the back of the net in the 3-0 loss.
The first period led off with a steady stretch of defensive play as Elmira forced their way into the Valiants rink side. Manhattanville held steady in their pursuit of the puck, earning it back after winning a face off, before the Soaring Eagles once again managed to flip the puck back into their control shortly after. Elmira continued to battle the Valiants, holding control of the puck and rattling off three consecutive shot opportunities.
With just ten minutes on the clock, Catrina Chinetti (Hyde Park, Mass./Boston Latin Academy / East Coast Wizards) found her first shot opportunity of the night while continuing to battle the Soaring Eagles for dominance on the ice. Cimorelli continued to hold steady between the posts, making multiple big saves to hold the game scoreless. Despite the ice opening up with four-on-four play following penalties charged to both sides, neither team managed to make their mark, heading into the first intermission scoreless.
Elmira came into the second period, immediately heading into the Valiants defensive zone after puck drop, adding a shot off to lead the period. The Soaring Eagles' aggressive efforts eventually handed Manhattanville an advantage, as an elbowing call gave Manhattanville a power play opportunity just over two minutes in. The Valiants retaliated with a shot of their own from Chinetti before the Soaring Eagles regained control for another steady stretch of play. Both teams continued to rally for a lead throughout the second, with additional shots by Kayla Leonard (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield High School), Ali Joly (Pickering, Ontario, Canada/Dunbarton / Caledon Coyotes), Emilija Tučiūtė, Willoughby, and Cantor.
With just over five minutes left in the second period, the Valiants managed to hold the puck in the Soaring Eagles' defensive zone, rattling off shots by Jada Mackinnon (Barrington, Nova Scotia, Canada/King's Edgehill School) and Danika Aubin (Guy, Alberta, Canada/Northern Alberta Xtreme (CSSHL)), adding to the pressure from Manhattanville. Regardless of their efforts, Elmira was able to gain the 1-0 lead over the Valiants with just under four minutes remaining.
Leading off the third period, the Valiants entered with immense determination to even the playing field. After earning a power-play opportunity, Manhattanville laid on shots by Flaherty and Chinetti against the Elmira goaltender, however unable to break through. As the Valiants continued to push to break through the Soaring Eagles' defense, the intensity and drive grew stronger.
Elmira found their way to the Valiants defensive zone, adding another tally at 11:32 to take a 2-0 lead. Despite the advantage, Manhattanville's determination never wavered as they continued to attempt to gain control of the puck, adding another shot by Leonard. As the game wound down, the energy heated up, with a brawl at the Valiants net put both teams into another two minutes of four-on-four play. In an effort to close the gap, Manhattanville pulled its goaltender to add the extra woman on the ice, which worked in an unfavorable manner, allowing an empty net goal to end the contest 3-0.
Up Next:
The Valiants will return to the Playland Ice Casino, closing their final weekend of home play tomorrow, February 21st, as they face Elmira College once again at 2 PM.
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