PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.- Tournament Most Outstanding Player Lauryn DePaul scored three goals, including the eventual game-winner in the second period, to propel Elmira College to the Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division women's hockey championship with a 4-2 win over host Plattsburgh State at the Stafford Ice Arena on Sunday. The Soaring Eagles (22-4-1 overall) earn their seventh tournament crown to gain automatic qualification into the NCAA Division III Tournament. The conference regular-season champion Cardinals (23-2-2) are expected to receive an at-large bid from the NCAA Selection Committee, which will announce the field at 10 a.m. Monday on NCAA.com. BOXSCORE
All-ECAC West tournament choice Megan DiJulio scored both Cardinals goals. Her first one of the afternoon tied the score at 1-1 midway through the first period, while Laurie Bowler and Steph Moon were credited with the assists. She scored again in the second period off a feed from Bowler to close within 3-2.
DePaul scored two power play goals to make the score 2-1 with 44 seconds left in the first period and 3-1 six minutes into the second. Both shots were wristers that found either upper-corner of the goal.
Melanie Henshaw sealed the win for the Soaring Eagles with an unassisted goal 50 seconds after DiJulio's second tally to close the scoring for both teams.
Plattsburgh held a 32-18 shots on goal advantage, including a 16-5 margin in the second when Elmira won the period by a 2-1 count.
All-tournament goaltender Lauren Sullivan had 30 saves for the Soaring Eagles, who ended the nation's longest-unbeaten streak by Plattsburgh at 18 games (16-0-2) for the second-longest in school history.
Rounding out the all-tournament team were forward Stephanie Moberg from Plattsburgh, forward Jillayne DeBus and defensemen Jamie Kivi, Madison Johnston of Elmira.
Elmira and Plattsburgh have met for the conference title in eight of nine tournaments that have been held. The Cardinals have reached the Finals all nine years, with their ECAC Championships coming in 2006 and '07.
