The Utica College women's hockey team scored four unanswered goals in the third period on its way to a convincing 5-1 victory over ECAC Women's West Conference foe Potsdam State Sunday afternoon. Darcy Hier and Lynny Gonzales each totaled one goal and one assist on senior night at the Aud.

The Pioneers have secured a spot in the ECAC Conference Tournament and will face Neumann University in the first round on either Friday or Saturday. The location has yet to be determined because Neumann has two regular season contests left to decide which team will earn the higher seed. If Neumann sweeps Potsdam on Tuesday and Wednesday they will earn the No. 4 seed and the right to host. If Neumann splits or loses both games against Potsdam – Utica will earn the No. 4 seed and the right to host.

The Pioneers gathered a 1-0 first period lead after junior forward Samantha Glockling netted her third goal of the season at the 13:56 mark. Freshman Carmen Johnson and junior Becky Heim each recorded an assist on the game's first goal.

Potsdam answered with the equalizer midway through the second stanza when Nadine Cunningham slid her third goal of the season past UC net minder Jill Doherty to knot the score at 1-1 headed into the third and final period of play.

The Pioneers turned it on at the right time and scored four straight goals in the third period. Meghan McMahon, Meagan Sudik, Lynny Gonzalez and Darcy Hier all lit the lamp in the third period to power the Pioneers past the Bears.

Doherty stopped 19 shots and extended her school-record to 34 career victories. Jen Conophy stopped 41 shots in net for Potsdam. Utica outshot Potsdam 46-20 on the evening.

UC closes out the regular season with a 12-11-2 overall record and an 8-8-2 ledger in conference play. 

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