PINE VALLEY, N.Y. – Plymouth State University put up a valiant effort, but #3 Elmira College was too strong in an 8-0 win over the Panthers in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) women's ice hockey action at Murray Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon.
 
Senior Olivia Petito (Jacksonville, Fla.) turned aside 11 shots in the first period alone and the Panthers trailed just 1-0 heading to the second.
 
Elmira converted a pair of power play opportunities as part of a five-goal outburst in the middle period to take control and the Panthers were unable to rally.
 
Plymouth State falls to 4-6-1 and 2-4-0 in the NEHC, while Elmira, ranked third nationally, improves to 10-1-0 and stays perfect (8-0-0) in conference play.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 0, #3 Elmira 8
  • Plymouth State (4-6-1, 2-4-0 NEHC)
  • #3 Elmira (10-1-0, 8-0-0 NEHC)

How it Happened:

• Elmira got on the board 1:24 into the game after a blocked shot led to the game's first goal.
• The Panthers recovered from the early goal to hold the Soaring Eagles off the board the remainder of the period, helped by Petito's 11 stops.
• Elmira doubled its lead 6:40 into the second after pounding in a rebound and later in the period the hosts cashed in on a pair of power play chances to push the lead to 6-0.
• The Soaring Eagles added a pair of third period tallies to close out the scoring.

By the Numbers:

• Elmira held a 53-17 advantage in shots.
• Petito finished with 22 saves, while sophomore Amelia Julian (Apple Valley, Minn.) made 23 stops in relief.
• Freshman Libby Carter (Franklin, Mass.) fired a team-high four shots, while junior Abigale McGee (Bozeman, Mont.) and sophomore Marissa Pickman (Bradford, N.H.) added three apiece.
• It was the first time the two teams had ever met.

 
Up Next:

• The Panthers are off for finals week and the holiday break, before returning to the ice on January 2 for a 2:00 p.m. clash with Colby College at Hanaway Rink.