Utica, NY (11/21/13)- The Utica College women's hockey team looks to continue its momentum as it opens up non-conference play against Williams College Friday night at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.  Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT: The Pioneers are coming off a sweep over SUNY Cortland last weekend… Ten different players tallied at least one point in the series… Freshman Gabrielle Schnepp (Northville, MI/Belle Tire) had a team-high six points on three goals and three assists… Senior Vanessa Maines (Boxborough, MA/Boston Jr. Shamrocks) had two goals and three assists, and classmate Jennifer Hamel (Ithaca, NY/Northwood School) made 36 saves on the weekend, including 14 on Saturday for her first shutout of the season.

FRESHMAN FITTING IN: Freshman Gabrielle Schnepp (Northville, MI/Belle Tire) has adjusted well to the college game so far…  She currently leads the team in goals (three) and points (six)… The forward has also been crucial on special teams, with two power play goals… She ranks second in the conference in freshman scoring and third nationally in points per game among rookies (1.50).

MYERS CONTINUING STRONG PLAY: Senior Megan Myers (Las Vegas, NV/LA Selects) has opened the season on a four-game scoring streak… She currently has two goals and three assists and is a plus-3 rating in four games.

SECONDARY SCORING: Seven different players have found the back of the net at least once this season… Senior Vanessa Maines (Boxborough, MA/Boston Jr. Shamrocks), junior Nicole Schwartz (Danville, CA/San Jose Sharks), and sophomore Morgan Reed (Fort Myers, FL/Cushing Academy) each have two goals so far, while senior Kristen Beckman (Arnold, MD/Northwood School) and freshman Victoria Pelton (Sterling Heights, MI/Belle Tire) have each scored one goal.

HAMEL SHUTTING THE DOOR: Senior Jennifer Hamel (Ithaca, NY/Northwood School) has collected a .916 save percentage, 2.25 goals against average and one shutout through four games this season.

SCOUTING WILLIAMS: The Ephs are 1-1 this season after splitting with Wesleyan College in their season-opening series… They are led by junior Caitlin Conlon and freshman Chelsey Stevenson… Conlon has five points (one goal, four assists), while Stevenson has three points (one goal, two assists).

AGAINST THE EPHS: UC is 6-2 all-time against Williams… Last year, the Pioneers topped the Ephs 3-0… Megan Myers (Las Vegas, NV/LA Selects) had two goals, while Morgan Reed (Fort Myers, FL/Cushing Academy) had two assists… Nikki Kieffer and Samantha Pucci (Pearl River, NY/Connecticut Polar Bears) each added one helper and Hamel had 19 saves in the shutout.

SAVE THE DATE: On Dec. 6, the Pioneers will be taking on Hamilton College in their annual Gold Ribbon Game for childhood cancer awareness… UC has once again teamed up with the Shawn Grady Fund for the second installment of its Gold Ribbon Game...  Both teams will be wearing special edition gold uniforms during the game, which will then be auctioned off with all proceeds being donated to help ease the medical costs of a local family that is currently dealing with the disease… Fans can bid on both the Utica College and Hamilton College jerseys online at on the women's hockey page at www.ucpioneers.com leading up to the game, as well as in the arena the night of the event... The minimum bid for a gold jersey is $100 and you can also purchase the jersey immediately for $200... Bidding must be made in increments of $5… Game time is set for 7 p.m. at nearby Clinton Ice Arena. 

LOOKING AHEAD: UC has three games next week… On Tuesday the Pioneers travel to SUNY Canton for a non-conference contest at 7 p.m. before returning to Utica to face Buffalo State next weekend… Saturday's contest will be at 7 p.m. while Sunday's faceoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.


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