The Utica College men's hockey team lost to nationally ranked No.5 Elmira College Friday 7-3. The Pioneers dropped to 2-5-1 in conference play and 6-9-3 overall while the Soaring Eagles improved to 10-0 and 15-3-1 overall. This was the first of two games at Murray Athletic Center.

Elmira broke the ice at 11:14 in the first period scoring its first goal. Less than a minute later, Elmira netted its second goal at 12:05. UC answered right away with a short handed goal from Vincent Nucci (Rochester, N.Y.) assisted by goalie Anthony Luckow (Shelby TWP, MI) at 12:36.

The Soaring Eagles controlled the second period. There were three goals scored in the last seven minutes of the period, all from the home team.

Elmira opened up the third period with its sixth goal at 1:20. UC countered that goal 51 seconds later with an even strength goal by Josh Schmitt at 2:11. Assists were granted to Jeff Papalardi (Delmar, NY) and Sean McKevitt (Cinton, N.Y.). Over eight minutes passed before Utica College's Aaron Jeffrey (Brighton, MI) netted the Pioneers third goal at 10:31. Scott Wentworth (New Hartford, N.Y.) had the assist. The host then scored on a power play with less then three minutes remaining in the game to close out the scoring.

Utica College was 0-for-4 on the power play while Elmira College was 1-for-5. UC was out shot 49-30 for total shots, however the Pioneers showed promise in the third period by out shooting the Soaring Eagles 14-8 and matching them in goals with two a piece. Utica was penalized eight times for a total of 24 minutes while Elmira was penalized seven times for only 14 minutes.

The Pioneers' are back in action this weekend to host a conference match-up versus Lebanon Valley. The games will be held at The Memorial Auditorium and begin at 7 p.m.