BUFFALO, NY – The Utica College women's hockey team swept host Buffalo State in a weekend series at the Buffalo State Sports Arena Saturday and Sunday. The Pioneers defeated the Tigers 5-2 Saturday night and followed the win with a 3-0 shut out victory on Sunday.

UC improved to 10-6 overall and 6-2 in ECAC Women's West Conference action with the two victories. The Pioneers are now 15-1-1 in 17 life-time meetings against the Tigers. UC out shot Buffalo 82-36 on the weekend.

Junior assistant captain Samantha Rowan (Trenton, MI/) netted two goals, including the game-winner 1:08 into the second period to give the Pioneers the victory on Saturday. Lynny Gonzales (Rochester, NY/New Hampton Prep), a speedy freshman forward, assisted on both of Rowan's goals, marking her first two collegiate points. The two points for Rowan marked her sixteenth and seventeenth points of the season, good for a first place tie on the team.

Freshman forward Jodie Galluzzi (Buffalo, NY/National Sports Academy) also added two goals for the Pioneers Saturday night and freshman defender Becky Heim added two assists, her first two of the season, to pace UC.

Sophomore goalie Jill Doherty (Wellesley, MA/Kents Hill) stopped 16 shots Saturday night to earn her sixth win of the season.

The Pioneers netted three third period goals on Sunday to earn a 3-0 victory behind one goal and one assist from sophomore forward Andrea Maxon (Canton, NY/Hugh C. Williams) and senior forward Kelly Bills (Penfield, NY/).

Maxon netted the game-winner, assisted by Bills and freshman Samantha Glockling (Carleton Place, Ontario/Tilton School), 13:44 into the first period Sunday. Fifteen seconds later freshman defender Ann Rancourt (Cleveland, OH/) scored her first collegiate goal to give UC a 2-0 lead and force a Buffalo State timeout. Maxon, a former ECAC Women's West All-Rookie team selection, leads the team with nine goals this season.

Bills closed out the scoring with her sixth goal of the season with 3:30 left in the contest. Maxon assisted on the game's final goal.

Freshman goalie Kelley Peers (Grosse Point, MI/) stopped 18 shots in her first collegiate shut out and earned her fourth win of the season.

The Pioneers have now won three straight headed into a two-game ECAC Women's West home stand against Elmira College Saturday and Sunday at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.