The Elmira women's ice hockey program is two years old. Programs in such infancy are supposed to be going through typical growing pains -- frustrations in recruiting, building facilities and so on. The Soaring Eagles, however, have enjoyed instant -- and nearly unprecedented -- success.

After winning the Division III Women's Ice Hockey Championship for the second straight season March 22 in Elmira, New York, the school capped an incredible two-year run, losing just once to a Division III competitor.

Elmira claimed this year's crown by defeating Manhattanville, 5-1, in the title game before a home crowd of 2,110. Elmira finished 23-4-2 and Manhattanville ended the year 27-4.

"I knew Manhattanville wasn't going to come in and play a defensive style because they have too many weapons," said Elmira coach Jamie Wood. "I knew it was a game where both teams were going to get good scoring chances."

"We weren't putting pressure on them," Manhattanville coach Nicole Kirnan said. "And they weren't putting pressure on us, so you got a wide open game."

Both goaltenders, Edith Racine for Elmira and Renee Kirnan for Manhattanville, kept the opposition off the scoreboard in the early going. Both squads had excellent scoring chances, but each goaltender squelched the opportunities.

Finally, Elmira broke the ice. Laura Hurd fought for the puck in the corner, skated in front of the net and backhanded it through Kirnan's legs for a 1-0 lead.

"Laura was hustling on that play," Wood said. "And I always say good things happen to people who hustle."

The Valiants scored in the second period, pushing the action and applying pressure to the Soaring Eagles' defense. Kristin Sahlem followed up a Nicole Stephens shot, and after two attempts, knocked the rebound in.

Elmira responded two and a half minutes later to retake the lead when Charissa Gawant one-timed a shot off a pass from Hurd. Elmira carried the play after regaining the lead.

Kirnan stopped an Elmira breakaway and two follow-up shots to keep the game close. Elmira wore down Manhattanville late in the game, scoring two third-period goals.

Junior captain Michelle Rennie scored when an Amy Rudisill shot got behind Nicole Elliott, who replaced Kirnan late in the second period.

Lindsay Palmer wrapped up the scoring with a shot to the blocker side after receiving a pass from Rudisill.

With two championships in two years, Elmira seems poised for dynasty status.

"It's nice to win it," Wood said. "I don't think too much about next year or even last year. We're going to enjoy this year."

SEMIFINALS

Elmira 2, Wis.-River Falls 1

First period: E -- Lindsay Palmer (Shannon Sargent), 4:21; WRF -- Mandy Stokes (Katie Hiscock, Lindsay O'Keefe).

Penalties: E -- Too many players (served by Shannon Fong), 13:43; E -- Too many players (served by Shannon Sargent), 14:34; WRF -- Jenny Conzemius (obstruction-interference), 15:29; WRF -- Stokes (obstruction-interference), 19:16.

Second period: E -- Jaclyn O'Neil (Laura Hurd, Charissa Gawant), 11:09.

Penalties: E -- Michelle Rennie (body checking), 6:17; E -- Stacey Calic (obstruction-interference), 12:58; WRF -- Ali Slinden (roughing), 14:09; E -- Sheena Calic (cross-checking), 14:09; WRF -- Rachel Goodwin (holding), 16:19; E ­ Too many players (served by Fong), 18:32; E -- Stacey Calic (body checking), 19:28.

Third period: No scoring.

Penalties: WRF -- Katie Hiscock (body checking), 2:13; WRF -- Stokes (body checking), 2:49; WRF -- Ali Slinden (body checking), 8:47; E -- Palmer (body checking), 11:55.

Saves: Marlene Yeager (Wis.-River Falls), 30; Edith Racine (Elmira), 22.

Manhattanville 4, Bowdoin 1

First period: M -- Kristin Sahlem (Nicole Blais), 11:05.

Penalties: None.

Second period: M -- Blais (Amy Quirion, Sahlem), 4:45; M -- Amanda Zimecki (Jesse Garner), 8:38.

Penalties: B -- Alyson Lizotte (interference), 15:19.

Third period: B -- Alyson Lizotte (Britney Carr, Kirsti Anderson), 10:41; M -- Cherie Stewart (unassisted).

Penalties: M -- Meredith Callinan (holding), 1:26; M -- Too many players (served by Erin McAllister), 3:36; M -- Sahlem (holding), 16:28.

Saves: Emily McKissock (Bowdoin), 34; Nicole Elliott (Manhattanville), 29.

Elmira 5, Manhattanville 1

First period: E -- Laura Hurd (Jaclyn O'Neil), 16:24.

Penalties: E -- Sheena Calic (interference), 6:05; M -- Nicole Stephens (holding), 16:24; M -- Jami Grasby (cross-checking), 18:45.

Second period: M -- Kristin Sahlem (Stephens), 1:26; E -- Charissa Gawant (Hurd, Siobhan Edington), 3:56; E -- Shannon Sargent (Emily Sand, Edington), 10:34 (pp).

Penalties: E -- Sargent (cross-checking), 8:25; M -- Ashley Trimble (cross-checking), 9:20; E -- Gawant (high-sticking), 13:36.

Third period: E -- Michelle Rennie (Amy Rudisill, Calic), 1:13; E -- Lindsay Palmer (Rudisill, O'Neil), 11:00.

Penalties: E -- Julie Clune (roughing), 2:13; M -- Jessica Temesy (roughing), 4:11; E -- Hurd (roughing), 4:11; M -- Amy Quirion (unsportsmanlike conduct), 7:59; E -- LeAnne Denman (unsportsmanlike conduct), 7:59; M -- Quirion (slashing), 17:55; E -- Calic (slashing), 17:55.

Shots on goal: Manhattanville 39, Elmira 29. Saves: Renee Kirnan (Manhattanville), 14; Nicole Elliott (Manhattanville), 10; Edith Racine (Elmira), 38. Officials: Tom DiFusco, Dean Gilbert, John Everett. A -- 2,110.