UTICA, NY – The nationally-ranked No. 10 Utica College women's hockey team went 2-0 in an ECAC Women's West weekend series with host Oswego State. The Pioneers defeated the Lakers 2-1 in overtime Friday night, before completing the sweep Saturday with a 3-1 victory.

With the win, UC improved to 14-8 overall and 10-4 in conference. 20 conference points gives the Pioneers a tie for second place with Elmira College.

The Pioneers fell behind 1-0 early in the first period Friday night, but two unanswered goals, including the game-winner 2:09 into the overtime stanza by sophomore Andrea Maxon (Canton, NY/Hugh C. Williams), lifted the Pioneers to victory. Freshman Lynny Gonzales (Rochester, NY/New Hampton Prep) tied the game up 15:12 into the second period on assists from senior Kelly Bills (Penfield, NY/) and junior Amanda McDonnell (Sagamore Beach, MA/).

Sophomore goalie Jill Doherty (Wellesley, MA/Kents Hill) stopped 21 shots in her seventh victory of the season. 14 of her 21 saves came in the third period (12) and overtime (two).

The Pioneers jumped out to a 1-0 lead Saturday behind an unassisted goal from freshman Tiffany Bichrest (Harpswell, ME/Hebron Academy), her fourth of the year, 13:07 into the second period. Oswego tied the game up 1-1 midway through the third period, but the Pioneers answered back with 4:21 left in the contest when junior assistant captain Samantha Rowan (Trenton, MI/) netted the game-winner on a power-play. Rowan's second game-winner and tenth goal of the season, also her 50th point of her Pioneer career, was assisted by junior captain Jessica Leclerc (Augusta, ME/). Freshman Samantha Glockling (Carleton Place, Ontario/Tilton School) added an insurance goal with three second left in the game to seal the victory.

Freshman goalie Kelley Peers (Grosse Point, MI/) stopped nine shots and improved her record to 7-2 on the year.

The Pioneers return to the ice Tuesday night against visiting Hamilton College. The puck is schedule to drop at 7 p.m. for the non-conference cross-town rivalry. The Pioneers dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Continentals at Sage Rink on Dec. 5, 2007.

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