Senior captain Andrea Maxon (Canton, NY) netted a power-play goal with 2:55 to go in the contest to break a 3-3 tie and give the Pioneers a 4-3 victory over visiting and nationally-ranked No. 11 Neumann University in ECAC Women's West Conference play Tuesday night. Meagan Sudik (West Bend, WI) and MacKenzie Roy (Concord, NH) each added two points on the evening to pace the Pioneers. Both teams exchanged goals throughout the contest, but the Pioneers were able to find the back of the net consecutively within the last 13 minutes of play to earn the key conference victory. Senior goalie Jill Doherty (Wellesley, NH) stopped 38 shots in the victory while the Pioneers improved to 4-4-1 overall and 2-2-1 in conference play.

During the first period, Neumann University jumped out to an early 1-0 lead at 11:18. Utica College later answered with a goal at 18:08, seven seconds into the first power play of the game, to tie the score. The Pioneers first goal was netted by junior Tiffany Bichrest (Harpswell, ME) marking her first goal of the season.

Early into the second period UC was penalized three times within five minutes. At 7:56 in the second period, Neumann took advantage and regained the lead by scoring on a 6 on 4 power play. Utica was out shot 30-14 during the first two periods. Two matching penalties for roughing at 19:15 would carry a 5 on 5 into the final period.

Eight seconds into the final period, assistant captain Lynny Gonzales (Rochester, NY) scored her fourth goal of the season to even the score at 2-2. Gonzales, the Pioneers leading scorer, has five points in the last three games. Shortly after, UC was flagged for its seventh penalty at 2:30 and once again the Knights regained the lead 3-2 on a power play at 3:23. The Knights had the lead three times throughout the game, but the resilient Pioneers would answer again at 7:05. Junior forward Meagan Sudik scored her third goal of the season to knot the score at 3-3. As the game moved late into the third period, Neumann was penalized twice at 12:59 and again at 16:25. It was the second penalty at 16:25 that set up a Pioneer power play and a taste for their first lead of the game. 40 seconds later UC captain Andrea Maxon capitalized by scoring the winning goal at 17:05. Meagan Sudik and Jodie Galluzzi assisted Maxon on the game-winner.

Stars for the game were Andrea Maxon, Meagan Sudik, and MacKenzie Roy. Junior forward Darcy Hier (Aurora, CO) added two assists in the contest. Utica College was out shot 41-23 for the game.

Senior Standout Stat: Goaltender Jill Doherty's career resume now includes 1,012 saves, a .933 save percentage, and eight shutouts.

The Pioneers return to action Saturday, Dec. 5 to challenge Cortland State at Alumni Arena at 2p.m in Cortland, NY.

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