RIT 2, Utica 0 - Box Score

Rochester, N.Y. (3/5/2011) – The nationally-ranked No. 2 and top seeded RIT women's hockey team ended Utica College's season Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over the Pioneers in the semi-finals of the ECAC Women's West Conference Tournament. Utica was able to hold RIT's high-powered offense to just one goal for the majority of the contest until the Tigers added an empty netter with 39 seconds left in regulation to seal the victory.

Utica, which was making its school-record tenth straight conference tournament appearance, closes out its season with 13-14 overall record. The Tigers will advance to the conference championship on Sunday afternoon against the winner of tonight's other semi-final contest (Plattsburgh vs. Neumann, 7 p.m. @ RIT). RIT improved to 23-1-2 with the win and increased its record to 3-0 against Utica this season.

Utica junior goalie Marissa Hotaling (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) stopped 40 shots between the pipes as the Pioneers were outshot 42-19 on the day. RIT went 1-for-4 on the power-play while the Pioneers were held to an 0-3 ledger with a one skater advantage. Kourtney Kunichika and Sarah Dagg each netted one goal for the home team.

Laura Chamberlain stopped all 19 shots she face en route to her 15th win of the season for RIT.

The sixth-seeded Pioneers earned the right to play in semi-final match-up by upsetting third-seeded Elmira 2-1 on the road last weekend.

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