Utica, NY (10/24/14)- The Utica College women's hockey team looks to make it back to the ECAC West Conference tournament for the third straight year and the 13th time in the program's 14-year history. The Pioneers break the ice on their 2014-15 campaign Saturday as they host the Ancaster Avalanche for an exhibition match up. Game time is set for 2 p.m.
LAST SEASON:
UC wrapped up its most successful season in six years as it finished 17-9-1 overall. The Pioneers made their 12th ECAC West tournament appearance in program history, before being knocked out in the semifinals by eventual conference and National Champion, Plattsburgh State. Utica finished the year in the receiving votes category in the final D3hockey.com National Rankings. The Pioneers remained just outside the top-ten as they received two votes, two behind St. Norbert and eight behind tenth-ranked Oswego State.
The Pioneers graduated seven seniors including All-American
Megan Myers (Las Vegas, NV/LA Selects),
Jennifer Hamel (Ithaca, NY/Northwood School), who tied the program's career win record, as well as
Vanessa Maines (Boxborough, MA/Boston Jr. Shamrocks),
Meredith Tice (Hershey, PA/Washington Pride),
Caitlyn Moccaldi (Clinton, NY/Clinton High School Boys),
Alicia DiCenzo (Canton, MA/Boston Jr. Shamrocks), and
Kristen Beckman (Arnold, MD/Northwood School).
CAPTAINS:
Utica welcomes back 16 players from last year's squad including captains
Nikki Kieffer (Rome, NY/Lysander Lightning),
Nicole Schwartz (Danville, CA/San Jose Sharks), and
Kelsey Dowdall (Smiths Falls, ONT/Nepean). Kieffer, who is also a member of the field hockey team, registered 11 points on two goals and nine assists in 23 games last season. She will provide veteran leadership on the Pioneer blue line. Schwartz averaged just under one point a game as she had five goals and six assists in 12 games before missing the second half of the season due to injury. Dowdall will add power up front and looks to improve upon her five goal, 11 assist production from a year ago. The 5'3" center dished out nine assists during an eight-game scoring streak as a junior.
OFFENSE:
On the offensive end, the Pioneers return ECAC West All-Rookie selection
Gabrielle Schnepp (Northville, MI/Belle Tire), who finished second on the team with 15 goals and 26 points. She ranked fifth in the nation in rookie scoring with 1.00 points per game. Junior
Morgan Reed (Fort Myers, FL/Cushing Academy) is coming off a solid sophomore season in which she lit the lamp 11 times and added 14 assists to finish third on the team in scoring.
ON THE BLUE LINE:
Apart from Kieffer, senior
Samantha Pucci (Pearl River, NY/Connecticut Polar Bears) will also provide much needed experience on the Utica defense. Pucci has played in 72 games for UC, the second-most among active players, and has registered ten career assists. She is a solid D who can jump into the rush when needed. Junior
Janessa Haasbeek (Grand Forks, ND/Canadian International Hockey Academy) tallied eight assists in 25 games as a sophomore. As one of only four returners of the defensive core, she will look to step into a bigger role this season.
IN THE CREASE:
The Pioneers will have to fill the void left by the graduation of last season's starting goalie,
Jennifer Hamel (Ithaca, NY/Northwood School). Senior
Marissa McNamara (Camillus, NY/Lysander Lightning), junior
Gabrielle Abbott (Scottsdale, AZ/St. Marks), and sophomore
Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Hotchkiss School) will all battle for the starting spot, which is currently up for grabs. McNamara has seen action in seven games in her career, while Goin got one start in net last season.
NEWCOMERS:
Utica welcomes 10 new faces to the squad including forwards
Taylor Osowski (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects),
Carlie Smith (Grimsby, Ontario/St. Catharine's Chaos), Nikki Clover, and
Jennifer Arts (Lakeside, Ontario/London Devilettes), defenders
Veronique Lortie (Chambly, Quebec/Berkshire School),
Samantha Husak (Jackson, MI/Team Detroit),
Allison Buch (Alexandria, VA/Reston Raiders), Kelly Kritzer, and
Emily Holtshouser (Londonderry, NH/Middlesex Islanders).
Amanda Lupo (Auburn, NY/Skaneatles) will also challenge for playing time between the pipes this season.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Pioneers open regular season play Nov. 8 and 9 with a home-and-home series against ECAC West newcomer, William Smith College. UC will travel to Geneva, NY on Saturday, Nov. 8 for a 4 p.m. game. Both teams will then travel to Utica for a 3 p.m. face off on Sunday, Nov. 9.
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