ASHTON, PA - The fifth seeded Utica College women's hockey team lost to host and fourth seeded Neumann College 6-1 in the first round of the ECAC Women's West Conference Tournament Saturday night. Darcy Hier netted the lone goal of the contest for UC. The Pioneers gave up three unanswered goals in the third period to end the season for UC.

Utica closes out its 2008-09 campaign with a 14-10-2 overall record, marking the programs eighth consecutive winning season. The Knights advance to the semi-finals of the conference tournament and improved to 16-10-2 overall. In two previous meetings this season the Pioneers went 0-2 against Neumann. The Pioneers lost both games against conference rival Neumann this season, including a one-goal loss, 2-1 on Nov. 21, 2008. Headed into the evening the Pioneers held a 18-3-2 all-time series advantage over the Knights.

Neumann opened the scoring with a first period goal 10:15 into play when forward Nicole Alexopoulous netted her 15 goal of the year to give the Knights a 1-0 lead. Jasper Thomson and Kayla Dubowski assisted on Alexopoulous' first goal of the night.

The Knights did not let down as Jessica Schroeder knocked in the second goal of the period with 2:08 left. Kayla Dubowski assisted Schroeder's 12 goal of the season. The Pioneers skated into the first intermission down 2-0.

Sophomore forward Darcy Hier scored 1:01 into the second period of play to cut Neumann's lead 2-1. Hier's third goal of the season was assisted by senior Krystal Cummings and fellow sophomore Lynny Gonzales.

The Knights would not let the Pioneers keep their momentum for long as senior forward Carly Fitzsimmions received a pass from Jessica Schroeder, netting her seventh goal of the season. UC headed into the third period down 3-1 looking to fight their way back to advance to the second round of the tournament.

Neumann netted three unanswered goals in the third period to take a 6-1 lead which proved to be to much for the Pioneers. Jessica Schroeder and Nicole Alexopoulos both netted their second goal of the night leading the Knights offense. Jasper Thomson also added to Neumann's three goal third period, tallying her 14th goal of the season.

Sophomore goalie Kelly Peers stopped 32 shots in net for the Pioneers, while Mel Brunet stopped 25 shots between the pipes for the Knights.

Neumann will take on top seeded Elmira College Saturday in the semi-finals of the ECAC Women's West Conference Tournament.


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