UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's hockey team made things interesting as it scored with 16 seconds remaining in the third period to come within one, but it was not enough as Elmira College held on for a 3-2 victory Friday evening at the Adirondack Bank Center.
 
The teams will meet again Saturday in Elmira to wrap up the series.  Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
 
Utica opened the scoring at 9:09 of the first period when freshman Alexa Carlon (Lakewood, NY/Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) buried a centering pass from sophomore Carolyn Whitney (Raleigh, NC/Milbrook School) for her second of the year.  The play started after defenseman Madison Novotny (Wesley Chapel, FL/Northwood School) threw the puck down behind the goal.  Whitney won a battle for it and fed Carlon in front who place a low shot inside the left post. 
 
Elmira evened the score just 1:21 later when Eliza Beaudin put in a rebound for her second of the season, assisted by Emma Crocker and Morgan Mordini. 
 
The Soaring Eagles took the lead at 2:36 of the second period when Jess Adams netted her third of the year off assists from Tristen Tolan and Jenny Heath.  Adams' goal was the lone tally of the second period as Elmira carried a 2-1 lead into the final frame.
 
Elmira tacked on an insurance tally at 13:59 when Mary McAfferty found the back of the net for her first goal of the season off a pass from Devyn Gilman.  Holley Riva was also credited with an assist on Elmira's third of the day.
 
Utica pulled the goalie with 1:25 remaining for the extra attacker.  After the puck appeared to go in, but was waved off by the official, Carlon made sure her shot counted as she netted her second of the day with just 16 seconds remaining.  Whitney and Lexi Stanisewski (Lawrence, MA/Boston Shamrocks) picked up the assists. 
 
Despite winning the ensuing faceoff and getting the puck into the attacking zone, Utica could not get the equalizer as the Soaring Eagles held on for the victory.
 
Junior Savannah Gutierrez (Huntington Beach, CA/Anaheim Lady Ducks) finished with 38 saves in net for Utica, marking her second straight appearance facing over 40 shots.  Her counterpart, Elizabeth Hanson made 18 saves for Elmira.