Toronto, Canada (10/6/12)- Junior Brittany DelleChiaie (Leominster, MA/The Winchendon School) scored the game winner with 1:20 to play in regulation as the Utica College women's ice hockey team downed the Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins in an exhibition game Saturday, to open the Pioneers' international trip.

Etobicoke opened the scoring just under three minutes into the opening frame as Nicole Atkinson snuck a shot past Utica goalie, Jennifer Hamel (Ithaca, NY/Northwood School) to put the Dolphins up 1-0.

Freshman Morgan Reed (Fort Myers, FL/Cushing Academy) tied the game just over five minutes later off assists from sophomore Nicole Schwartz (Danville, CA/San Jose Sharks) and senior Meghan Willett (Worcester, MA/Cushing Academy).  Schwartz fired a shot on goal that caromed off the end boards onto Reed's stick who shot into the open net. 

Four minutes later, Schwartz gave Utica a 2-1 lead of an assist from Reed.  Reed skated down the right side and blistered a low shot on Dolphin goalie Keri Martin.  The rebound popped out in front to Schwartz who was able to backhand it home.

Etobicoke had its best opportunity to tie the game just a few minutes later as Atkinson skated down on a partial breakaway.  Hamel made the first save but the puck bounced right to Katelyn Turk who had a seemingly open net, but Hamel was able to recover and get the right pad on it to maintain the Utica lead.

The Dolphins scored the equalizer just under three minutes into the second period as Emma Dahlgren netted her first goal of the game.  Dahlren gather a loose puck in the slot and fired a laser off the crossbar and in.  Utica goalie Marissa McNamara (Camillus, NY/Lysander Lightning) had little chance on the play.

The score remained deadlocked going into the third when Etobicoke came out fast and scored a minute into the period.  After controlling play in the UC zone, the puck was worked up top to Dolphin defenseman Montana Merante.  Merante settled the puck and put a perfect shot on net, over the shoulder of Pioneer goalie Gabrielle Abbott (Scottsdale, AZ/St. Marks).

After ten minutes of back and forth play, senior Meghan Willett (Worcester, MA/Cushing Academy) was able to tie the game on the power play with just over eight minutes remaining.  Sophomore Ashley Ward (Forsyth County, GA/Forsyth High School) put a low shot on net, the rebound popped right to Willett who slid the puck into the yawning net.

With just over a minute to play, junior Brittany DelleChiaie (Leominster, MA/The Winchendon School) scored the game-winner off an assist from sophomore Madison Christoff (Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley).  Christoff made a good play to keep the puck in the zone and put a shot on net.  DelleChiaie picked up the rebound right in front of the goal and slid it in before Etobicoke goalie Amanda Smith could recover. 

Toronto played the final 50 seconds with a six on four advantage but Utica held on to seal the victory.  Reed, Schwartz, and Willett ended the day with a goal and an assist each, while Hamel (eight saves), McNamara (12 saves), and Abbott (ten saves) each allowed one goal in 20 minutes of work.

Utica wraps up its international play Sunday as it takes on the Toronto Aeros.  Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Seneca College


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