ICE HOCKEY

Women's Ice Hockey: Norwich Off To Elmira For NCAA Quarterfinal Game

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Fresh off the program's first-ever ECAC East Tournament title, the Norwich University women's ice hockey team is preparing to play in the NCAA Tournament for the first time. The Cadets will begin their quest for a national championship on Saturday, March 14, when they travel to Elmira, N.Y., to take on Elmira College in a quarterfinal contest. The time of the game has been set for 3 p.m.

Norwich (19-8-1) capped its run through the ECAC East Tournament on Sunday, March 8, when the Cadets shutout Salve Regina, 4-0, in the title game. The victory clinched the team's first conference tournament title in just its second season competing at the varsity level. The win also locked up the league's automatic bid to the NCAAs.

Norwich and Elmira met during the opening weekend of the regular season, and the Soaring Eagles defeated the Cadets by the score of 8-0. That game, which was contested in Elmira, N.Y., seems like years ago based on the way Norwich has been playing of late. Over the last 16 games, Norwich has compiled an astounding 14-1-1 mark to skate into the national tournament on a high note.

Should Norwich defeat Elmira, the Cadets would advance to the national semifinals where they would meet the winner of the Wisconsin-River Falls/Gustavus Adolphus quarterfinal matchup.

The Cadets have been led this season by junior forward Sophie Leclerc, who tops the team in goals (19), assist (26) and points (45). Freshman forward Julie Fortier (16-19-35) and sophomore forward Kelsey Cone (14-21-35) have been solid offensively this season as well. Freshmen defensemen Amanda Wilks (15-17-32) and Melissa Rundlett (11-11-22) have provided some additional scoring punch from the blue line.

Sophomore goaltender Cindy Fortin has been strong in the Norwich net all year long. She enters Saturday's game at Elmira with a 1.98 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. The second-year net minder has posted four shutouts and has authored a 12-5-0 record.

Elmira (22-4-1) is led by forwards Kayla Coady (16-35-51), Jenna McCall (19-22-41) and Jamie Huntley (18-20-38). Allison Cubberley paces the Soaring Eagles in goal, having forged a 1.20 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage. The senior goaltender has posted a 19-4-1 record and nine shutouts.

The other national quarterfinal matchup features Plattsburgh State and Amherst. The winner of that showdown will travel to play at Middlebury in the semifinals. The top-seeded Panthers earned a bye into the semifinal round and will not have to play a quarterfinal game.

To view the complete NCAA Women's Division III Ice Hockey Championships bracket, click HERE.