UTICA, NY– Freshman Darcy Hier (Centennial, CO/) scored the game's only goal late in the first period as the Utica College women's ice hockey team defeated Cortland, 1-0, Tuesday afternoon in an ECAC West match-up at Alumni Arena.

The Pioneers improved to 8-6 overall and 4-2 in the Empire 8 Conference. UC will be back on the ice Jan. 19 against Buffalo State in the Buffalo State Sports Arena at 4 p.m.

With the loss the Red Dragons fell to 3-8-3 overall and 1-4-1 in conference play.

Hier netted the game winner at 19 minutes, 27 seconds of the opening period after junior Krystal Cummings (Victor, NY/) forced a turnover just inside the blue line and sent the puck in front where Hier deflected a shot past Cortland freshman goalie Briana Bartlett (Syracuse Stars/Rome) at the left post.

The Pioneers out shot Cortland, 41-8, in the game, which featured just one penalty for each team.

Pioneer goaltender sophomore Jill Doherty (Wellesley, MA/Kents Hill) made her eight saves to preserve her second shut out of the season. It also is the second shut out that Doherty has had against Cortland State this season. For Cortland State, Briana Bartlett had 40 saves.