Utica, NY (11-26-11) – The Utica College women's hockey team prepares for two non-conference games in three days following a seven day breather.  The Pioneers will travel to Williams College Sunday for a 4 p.m. contest against the Ephs and then, on Tuesday,  they will host local rival Hamilton College at the Utica Memorial Auditorium at 7 p.m.

The Pioneers: UC is currently 3-5 overall including a 1-5 mark in the ECAC Women's West Conference … Utica was swept by nationally-ranked No. 8 Elmira by scores of 2-1 and 5-2 last weekend in Elmira, NY … In 2010-2011, the Pioneers went 4-3 in non-conference play ... UC is undefeated (2-0) in non conference play so far this season. 

UC vs. the Opponents: Last season Utica swept Williams College while outscoring the Ephs 7-2 but the Pioneers lost to Hamilton College 2-1 … Since the 2005-2006 season, UC is 5-0 against Williams and 3-3-2 against the Continentals.

Scoring Leaders: Sophomores Megan Myers (Las Vegas, NV/LA Selects) and Brittany DelleChiaie (Leominster, MA/The Winchendon School) have combined for 16 points so far including seven of UC's 15 goals … Myers has three goals and eight assists while DelleChiaie has four goals and one assist … Six other Pioneers have tallied three total points each.

Duo in Net:  Senior Marissa Hotaling (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and sophomore Jennifer Hamel (Ithaca, NY/Northwood School) are presently splitting time in goal for Utica … Hotaling has an overall record of 1-3 while posting a .919 save percentage and a goals against average of 3.46 … Hamel has registered an impressive .938 save percentage and a 2.51 goals against average as she holds a 2-2 record … The duo has combined for a total of 276 saves while allowing 21 goals on the season.

ECAC Standings: Nationally-ranked No. 1 RIT is currently in first with 12 points, while Plattsburgh holds second place with nine, and Elmira sits in third place with eight points … Buffalo State occupies fourth place while Oswego, Potsdam and Neumann follow behind in fifth, sixth and seventh, each one point short of the other … Utica has two points in eighth while Cortland is in ninth with one point and Chatham in tenth.

Back on the Ice:  Following these contests, UC returns to the ice Saturday Dec. 3 for an ECAC West Conference match-up against Cortland … The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m. in Cortland, NY.

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