Utica, NY- The Utica College women's ice hockey team fell to nationally ranked No. 3 Middlebury 4-2 Sunday afternoon at Kenyon Arena.

Goal scorers for the Pioneers were freshmen classmates Samantha Glockling (Carleton Place, Ontario/Tilton School) and Sarah George. Senior Kelly Bills (Penfield, NY/) and sophomore Andrea Maxon (Canton, NY/Hugh C. Williams) each recorded an assist in the game as well. With the loss, Utica College falls to 7-4-0 overall and will return to action Jan. 11 when they host Plattsburgh State at 7 p.m.

Leading scorer for the Panthers was senior Margaret MacDonald (Brewster Acad. (NH) / Judique, N.S.), notching a goal and an assist. Scoring alongside MacDonald was sophomore Heather McCormack (St. Mark's / Rowley, MA.), freshman Andrea Buono (Cushing Acad. / Ashburnham, MA.) and senior Tania Kenny (Malvern Collegiate / Toronto, Ont.). Junior Erika Nakamura (Noble & Greenough / Boston, MA.) had a two assists, while sophomore Ashley Bairos (Choate (CT) / Van Nuys, CA) and senior Karen Levin (Niles North / Morton Grove, IL) also contributed with an assist a piece. With the win Middlebury improves to 7-1-1 overall.

After falling behind 1-0 in the first period, Samantha Glockling (Carleton Place, Ontario/Tilton School) scored her third goal of the season 9:26 in the second period. Assisting on the goal was Bills and Maxon. For Bills that marks her 20th career assist, while Maxon tallied her seventh assist of the season.

At the 11:44 mark of the second period George scored her first goal as a Pioneer and put Utica ahead 2-1. With less then two minutes remaining in the second period Middlebury tied the score at 2-2 behind a goal from Tania Kenny.

Middlebury was able to use their 35-15 shot advantage to control the game in the third period as the Panthers were able to score two more goals to put the game out of reach and they went on to win with a final score of 4-2.

Doing the goaltending for the Pioneers was freshman Kelley Peers (Grosse Point, MI/), making 31 saves on 35 shots. For Middlebury freshman Lexi Bloom (Highland Park / Highland Park, IL) recorded 13 saves.

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