Toronto, Canada (10/7/12)- The Utica College women's ice hockey team won its second and final game of its Canada trip, Sunday, as the Pioneers downed the Toronto Aeros 4-1.  Junior Brittany DelleChiaie (Leominster, MA/The Winchendon School) led UC with three goals, including the game-winner, while freshman Morgan Reed (Fort Myers, FL/Cushing Academy) had the other tally.

Toronto put on a lot of pressure early in the game and was finally able to put one past Utica goalie, Gabrielle Abbott (Scottsdale, AZ/St. Marks).  With 12 minutes remaining in the first period, there was a faceoff in the Pioneer defensive zone.  Toronto center Jessie Eldridge played the draw back to defender Jessica Gazzola, who fired a low shot on net.  Abbott was able to turn away the first stop, but could not stop Eldridge's rebound shot and the Aeros took a 1-0 lead.

Just under a minute later, DelleChiaie netted her first of the afternoon off assists from classmate Megan Myers (Las Vegas, NV/LA Selects) and senior Carmen Johnson (Falls Church, VA/Washington Pride).  After working the puck down low in the zone, DelleChiaie received a pass from Myers and put a low shot past Toronto goalie Brynna Kerr.

Myers against connected with DelleChiaie just two minutes later to give Utica a 2-1 lead.  Myers passed the puck up the boards to DelleChiaie who put a puck on net that beat Kerr and tucked just inside the far post.  Senior Mary Fusco (Enfield, CT/Salve Regina University) also assisted on the play.
DelleChiaie's third goal came short-handed five and a half minutes into the third period as she and freshman Morgan Reed (Fort Myers, FL/Cushing Academy) came in on a two-on-one.  Reed drew the defender towards her then delivered a perfect pass to DelleChiaie who slid the puck between Kerr's legs to complete the hat trick.  Fusco picked up her second assist on the tally.

Reed added an insurance goal of her own with less than six minutes remaining as she collected a puck at center ice and went in on a breakaway.  Junior Kristen Beckman (Arnold, MD/Northwood School) lobbed a puck out of the defensive zone, over two Aero players, and hit Reed at the red line.  After settling the puck, Reed skated in alone and fired a laser off the crossbar and in for her second goal in as many days.

Utica's goaltenders each played a period.  Abbott made five saves, while sophomore Marissa McNamara (Camillus, NY/Lysander Lightning) (12 saves) and Jennifer Hamel (Ithaca, NY/Northwood School) (14 saves) each shut the door for UC.  Aeros netminders Ally Sarna and Brynna Kerr combined for 16 saves in the loss.

The Pioneers open up the season at home on October 21 as they host the Aeros for an exhibition game. Puck drop is scheduled for 12 p.m.


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