UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's ice hockey team defeated Oswego State 3-1 Saturday afternoon in ECAC West action at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The win extends the Pioneers' win streak to five and gives them seven wins in their last eight games.

The Pioneers jumped out to an early lead just over two minutes into the game when Stephanie Price (River Rouge, MI/) put in her own rebound right in front of the net for her 21st goal of the season.

The Lakers would even the score 9:07 into the first session when Jessica O'Grady (Perth Jr. Wings/Nepean, ONT) put in a shot right in front of the net that squeezed through the legs of Pioneer goalie Stephanie Yates (Garden Grove, CA/).

The second period was scoreless for both teams, despite the Pioneers out-shooting the Lakers 40-12 through the first two periods.

The Pioneers finally broke through and put the game away midway through the third period when Mandy Finkle (Milford, MI/) scored two goals in a span of 35 seconds. Her first goal was a slap shot between the circles and was assisted by Deanna Wiegand (Utica, MI/). Finkle's next goal came when she emerged from a scrum in front of the net and lifted a shot over the goalie's right shoulder from the top of the crease. Weigand and Laura Schnitker (Laramie, WY/) had the assist on Finkle's second goal.

Yates had 21 saves on the afternoon for the Pioneers while Hilary Hitchman (North Country Ice Storm/Potsdam) had 62 saves for Oswego State.

With the win, the Pioneers improve their record to 17-4-3 overall and 9-2-2 in the ECAC West conference. With the loss, Oswego's record falls to 7-11-1 overall and 2-8-3 in the ECAC West.

The Pioneers return to action tomorrow for the second game of the weekend set against Oswego State. The puck drops at 4:00 p.m.

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