Utica,NY - The Utica College women's hockey team closed out the regular season with a 4-1 win over Potsdam State in ECAC Women's West Conference play Wednesday. Senior forward Michelle Witz netted a hat-trick to pace the Pioneers offensive attack.

The first period defensive battle held both teams scoreless and included a combined 14 shots on goal. Early in the second period freshman MacKenzie Roy (Cushing Academy/Concord, NH) scored her fourth goal of the season 1:11 into the period. Roy was assisted by defenseman Jessica Leclerc and forward Lynny Gonzales. Roy finished the night with one goal and two assists.

In 2:33 senior forward Michelle Witz (Manhattanville College/ Pelham) netted her sixth and seventh goal of the season. Currently Witz stands eighth in the conference for game-winning goals and is tied for second on the team with eighth goals on the season. Witz was not finished, with 10 minutes left in the third period she was able to tally her third goal of the night giving her a memorable hat-trick and the Pioneers a 4-0 advantage with 11:51 left in regulation.

Kristina Reeves, Tiffany Birchrest, Samantha Rowan, Jodie Galluzzi, and MacKenzie Roy all had a hand in Witz's hat-trick each posting an assist in at least one of Witz goals on the night.

Net minder Jill Doherty picked up her ninth win on the season saving 23 shots and kept Potsdam out of the net for 59:25. Doherty sits in second place with a .942 save percentage and is currently in third with .164 goals against average in the conference.

UC heads into post season play with a 14-9-2 overall record. For more information on the ECAC Women's West playoff picture visit www.ecacsports.com/dIII_hockey/womens_west/index.


-- www.ucpioneers.com --