PINE VALLEY, N.Y. – The No. 5 seed University of Southern Maine Huskies' women's ice hockey team saw their 2023-24 season come to an end on Saturday with a 2-0 loss to the No. 2 seed Elmira College Soaring Eagles in the New England Hockey Conference Championship game. Elmira has now won the NEHC title twice in three years in the conference.
 
Holley Riva scored 3:31 into the second period after Huskies' senior goalie Haley McKim (Moncton, New Brunswick/Mount Academy) stopped all 19 shots that she faced in the opening frame. McKim finished the day with 45 saves against the high-powered Elmira offensive.
 
Anna Lugge added a second goal for the Soaring Eagles 11 minutes into the third period for the 2-0 final. Erika Goleniak and Katie Manning had assists on Riva's goal and Lexi Hoffmann was credited with an assist on Lugge's tally.

McKim and junior Madison Chagnon (St. Albans, Vt./Rice Memorial) were named to the NEHC All-Tournament Team for their performances in the playoffs. McKim made 111 saves over three games with just three goals allowed. Chagnon had three goals including the game-winners in both Southern Maine wins.
 
The Records:
No. 5 Southern Maine: 15-11-2 (10-6-2 NEHC)
No. 2 Elmira: 20-7-1 (14-3-1 NEHC)
 
Series History:
Today was the seventh meeting between Southern Maine and Elmira and the first playoff game between the programs. Elmira now leads the series 6-1.
 
The Goaltenders:
Southern Maine: Haley McKim (12-9-2), 60:00, two goals allowed, 45 saves
Elmira: Chloe Beaubien (8-1-1), 59:42, shutout, five saves
 
How It Happened:

• The Soaring Eagles dominated the first period with 19 shots on goal without allowing one by Southern Maine. The Huskies blocked three shots in the period led by two from junior Amelie St-Amant (Cornwall, Ontario/ Ontario Hockey Academy).
• Early in the second period Goleniak brought the puck up from behind her own goal and dumped it to Manning just ahead of the blueline. Manning then slid it across the ice to set up Riva's goal.
• McKim then stopped 19 more shots before a blast from Lugge found its way into the net.

Inside The Stats:

• Elmira allowed just five shots on the goal by the Huskies and pestered McKim 47 shots on frame.
• The fourth-best team in the nation on faceoffs proved backed up that ranking by going 46-8 on the draw led by 12 wins apiece from Claire Meeder and Emily Lenzen. Meeder was a perfect 12-for-12 at the dot.
• Neither team converted on the power-play with the Soaring Eagles going 0-for-4 and the Huskies going 0-for-1.
• St-Amant blocked a career-high five shots for the Huskies.

 
Up Next:
Today's loss concludes the 2023-24 season for the Huskies.