2011 Field Hockey Season Wrap-Up

    The 2011 Elmira College Field Hockey team made great strides during the season as it doubled its win total from the previous season, including winning two more conference games than the previous season. The Soaring Eagles were in contention for a post-season bid late in the season and showed tremendous growth throughout the season. The Purple and Gold showed great determination when they lost their leading scorer to injury and continued to dig deep and stay in games late.

EC was led by second year players McKenna Light ’14 (Marathon, NY -- Marathon) and Shannon Nelligan ’14 (Poughquag, NY -- Canterbury). Light led the Soaring Eagles in goals (5), assists (4) and points (14). Nelligan, a Second Team All-Empire 8 selection provided stellar defense and an offensive spark for Elmira. She registered four goals and two assists on 18 shots from her defensive position. Third year standout Gina Maffei ’13 (Wayne, NJ -- Morristown-Beard) also proved to be a top scorer for the Soaring Eagles throughout the 2011 season, as she tallied four goals and one assist.

Elmira’s goalies were consistent and reliable throughout the season as both Lauren Thomas ’14 (Marshfield, MA -- Marshfield) and Brooke Ramage ’15 (Masonville, NY -- Sidney) were named Empire 8 Goalie of the Week on different occasions. Thomas had a monumental game in net against regular season champion Utica as she recorded 20 saves in a 1-0 shutout victory in overtime. She finished with 158 saves on the season in 11 contests. Ramage made 37 saves in her first season, stopping a season-high nine shots against Washington & Jefferson on Oct. 22nd.

The Soaring Eagles (2-13-1 Overall, 2-5 Empire 8) finished the season with two wins and one tie. Four of the team’s losses were only two-goal games. With some strong incoming recruits and the growth of its younger players this year, as well as returning a strong defensive unit the Elmira College Field Hockey team will surely be a team to be reckoned with next season.

EC loses Sarah Thomassen ’12 (Stewartstown, PA -- Kennard-Dale) and Ashley Leja ’12 (Auburn, NY -- Dana L. West) to graduation.