UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's hockey team avenged last nights' loss by netting five third period goals and defeating visiting Adrian College 6-4 Sunday at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

The Pioneers improved to 2-1 with the win, while the Bulldogs dropped to 6-2 overall. The weekend set was the first meeting ever between the two schools.

The game featured four lead changes in the back and fourth battle. The Pioneers were out shot 37-23 on the day, but they were able to convert on 2-of-3 power play chances, including the Pioneers' first and last goal of the game.

The Bulldogs opened the scoring 5:44 into the first period when freshman forward Steph Dimini (Regina, Saskatchewan/Regina Rebels) beat UC goalie Kelley Peers (Grosse Point, MI/) on an assist from freshman forward Stacey Kempson (Windsor, ONT/Wondsor Wildacats) and classmate Keegan Castrillo (Sarnia, ONT/Blue Water Int. AA). Dimini would eventually net two more goals for the Bulldogs to complete the hat-trick. She ranks second on the team with ten points on six goal and four assists this season.

UC tied the game up on a power-play goal from freshman forward Jodie Galluzzi (Buffalo, NY/National Sports Academy) at the 10:38 mark of the first period. Former ECAC Women's West All-Rookie team member Andrea Maxon (Canton, NY/Hugh C. Williams) and junior transfer Michelle Witz (Pelham, NY/) assisted on Galluzzi's first collegiate goal.

The Bulldogs took the lead back with less than two minutes remaining in the second period when freshman defender Dana Funkenhauser (Windsor, ONT/Windsor Wildcats) netted her first goal of the season on assist from Leah Humphries (Ereth, LA/National Sports Academy).

Senior forward Kelly Bills (Penfield, NY/) opened the flood gates and the goals started pouring in just 25 seconds into the third period. Bills' first goal of the year was assisted by freshman Samantha Glockling (Carleton Place, Ontario/Tilton School) to tie the game up at 2-2.

Dimini gave the Bulldogs the lead once again with her second goal of the day on a power-play 2:50 into the third period. Kempson was credited with the assist on the day. Kempson leads the Bulldogs with 14 points on six goals and eight assists this season.

The Pioneers tied the game back up at 3-3 on an unassisted goal from junior forward Krystal Cummings (Victor, NY/) just 42 seconds later.

Freshman Tiffany Bichrest (Harpswell, ME/Hebron Academy) gave the Pioneers a 4-3 lead at 6:19 with her first goal of the season. Galluzi and Witz each earned an assist on the Pioneers fourth goal.

Funkenhauser found Dimini to tie the game up for the fourth and final time with less than ten minutes to go in the third period.
Junior captain Samantha Rowan (Trenton, MI/) tallied the game-winner 12:43 into the third period to lift the Pioneers to victory. Rowan has three assists and two goals this season. Meagan Sudik (West Bend, WI/) and Darcy Hier (Centennial, CO/) assisted on the game-winner.
Maxon added an insurance goal with 6:22 remaining to close out the scoring. Maxon is tied for the team-lead with five points on the year.

Freshman goalie Kelley Peers (Grosse Point, MI/) stopped 33 shots in her first collegiate start, while her counterpart, Dana Timm (Southgate, MI/Robert Morris University), made 17 saves in the loss.

The Pioneers return to the ice Saturday against visiting Chatham College in ECAC Women's West Conference action at 7:00 p.m. The Bulldogs will host Wisconsin Superior Friday at 7:00 p.m.
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