Junior Meagan Sudik netted the game-winner in the 11th minute of the third period as the Utica College women's hockey team (1-2) defeated non conference foe Adrian College 4-4 at the Utica Memorial Auditorium Friday night. Adrian led 3-1 midway through the second period but the Pioneers answered with the game's final three goals, capped by Sudik's game-winner, to seal their first victory of the season.

The Utica victory highlighted the second annual AmeriCU "Pink the Rink" event where the Pioneers dawned special edition pink jersey's which were auctioned off through out the game.  All proceeds from the auction will benefit the American Cancer Society. 

UC opened the scoring on the evening when freshman Meaghan McMahon netted her first collegiate goal off an assist from defender Ann Rancourt at the 7:07 mark of the first period. 

Adrian knotted the scored at 1-1 just under two minutes later after a goal from Brooke Zaleski.  The Bulldogs went on to score two more goals, both in the second period, to take a 3-1 lead with just under seven minutes to go in the second period. 

Senior captain Andrea Maxon cut the Adrian lead to 3-2 when she scored with under five minutes to go in the third and junior captain Lynny Gonzales added the equalizer in the final minute of the second period as both teams skated into the final stanza with three goals a piece. 

Sudik scored the game-winner at the 11:01 mark of the third period and the Pioneer defense, led by senior goalie Jill Doherty, shut the Bulldogs down for the remainder of the contest to earn the victory.  Tiffany Bichrest and sophomore MacKenzie Roy assisted on the game-winner.

Doherty closed out the night with 45 saves, while her counterpart, Dana Timm stopped 18 shots in net for Adrian. 

UC returns to action tomorrow as they host Adrian for the second of a two game set.  The puck is scheduled to drop at 3 p.m.