The Utica College (3-0, 2-0) women's hockey team is off to its best start since the 2006-2007 season when the Pioneers opened the season with four straight wins. The Pioneers went on that season to have a program-best 18-5-3 overall record, including a 10-2-2 mark in the conference.

Over the weekend, UC was welcomed by host Buffalo State for a two-game, double header, to open up conference play in Buffalo, NY.

Utica swept the Bengals, beating them 3-1 on Friday and 2-1 on Saturday. Sophomore Meghan McMahon (Gardner, MA/St. Marks (MA)) earned star recognition in both games. McMahon had the tying goal in the first game and the game-winner in Saturday's contest.

The Pioneers are led by senior forward Darcy Hier (Centennial, CO/Colorado Selects), who is currently ranked fourth in the nation in points per game (2.33). Hier is the points (seven) and assists (six) leader for UC and is the schools' assist leader (44) among active players. She is second in career points (62) behind senior captain Lynny Gonzales (Rochester, NY/New Hampton Prep). McMahon is tied for first in goals (three) and tied for second in points (five).

Utica will host nationally-ranked No.3 RIT this Saturday and Sunday at the Utica Memorial Auditorium for its home-opener. RIT is already owning up to expectations starting off 4-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play. While on the road to start the season, the Tigers have outscored opponents by an impressive 24-1 margin.

The puck is scheduled to drop at 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

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