PINE VALLEY, N.Y. -- After months of angst and idle time caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Nazareth officially returned to live sports Saturday as the track and field and women's hockey teams competed in their respective sports.
For women's hockey it's been nearly a full calendar year since they last skated with a purpose and their return was met with some disappointment Saturday as Elmira rallied from an early deficit to claim a 4-1 victory at an empty Murray Athletic Center. The game marked the season opener for the Soaring Eagles as well.
The teams were originally scheduled to play Friday night in Rochester, but pandemic protocols forced a postponement until next month. Saturday's game was one of four scheduled to be played in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference as the teams scramble to salvage a competitive season.
The Golden Flyers last played Feb. 29, 2020 and were faced with a difficult opening-night opponent in the Soaring Eagles, who also were closing in on a full year of inactivity after ending last season ranked sixth nationally in the United States Collegiate Hockey Online poll by compiling a 22-4-2 overall record.
The Golden Flyers were tough in their own right last season as they finished 18-5-3 overall and grabbed a 1-0 lead late in Saturday's first period when sophomore
Makenna Wiljanen scored Nazareth's lone goal as she flicked a shot over the left shoulder of Elmira goaltender Elizabeth Hansen. Junior
Nikolle Van Stralen gained credit for the assist.
Elmira stormed back with two goals in the second period -- including the go-ahead tally with just :06 left -- and two more in the third to secure the victory. It was Elmira's fourth win in five meetings with the Golden Flyers. They meet again March 23 at the Bill Gray's Iceplex.
Jess Adams tied the score for Elmira with a goal at 7:36. Jenny Heath delivered the go-ahead goal with time winding down in the period as she gathered up loose puck and scored unassisted. The Golden Flyers were unable to generate much offensively thereafter as Hanson kept them off the scoreboard for the final 43:31. Meanwhile, Kelly Matthews and Kelly Millins delivered third-period goals as the Soaring Eagles sealed the win.
Junior
Adrianna Brehm played well in goal for the Golden Flyers as she finished with 19 saves. Hanson had 18 for Elmira. Neither team was able to convert on the power play after each had four minor infractions.
Nazareth plays its first home game of the season Friday against Utica at 7 p.m. The Golden Flyers then visit Utica the following afternoon for a 4 p.m. face-off.
