Box Score Utica, NY (2/1/14)- The Utica College women's hockey team downed visiting SUNY Cortland 2-1 in non-conference action Saturday afternoon at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The Pioneers have now won all four match ups against the Red Dragons this season.

After a scoreless first period, senior Vanessa Maines (Boxborough, MA/Boston Jr. Shamrocks) broke the deadlock at 9:04 of the second period. Maines took a pass from junior Samantha Pucci (Pearl River, NY/Connecticut Polar Bears) off the face off and buried one passed the outstretched leg of Cortland's net minder, Kelly Farinella. Junior Ashley Ward (Forsyth County, GA/Forsyth High School) also registered an assist on the play, for her first collegiate point. The goal was Maines' second in as many games after she netted the game-winner in Friday's 4-3 win over Cortland.

Senior Megan Myers (Las Vegas, NV/LA Selects) tallied the eventual game-winner, on the power play, just 58 seconds into the third period. Kristen Beckman (Arnold, MD/Northwood School) and Morgan Reed (Fort Myers, FL/Cushing Academy) assisted on Myers' team-leading 14th goal of the season. The Red Dragons were able to put one in with just 11.6 seconds remaining to spoil the shutout, however the Pioneers held on to improve to 13-5 on the year.

Freshman Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Hotchkiss School) stopped 17-of-18 shots and came within 12 seconds of a shutout in her first collegiate start, while her counterpart, Kelly Farinella made 26 saves. The Red Dragons fall to 2-15-2 on the year. They will face Oswego next weekend for an ECAC West series.

The Pioneers return to action Tuesday as they travel to nationally ranked No. 2 Middlebury College. Game time is set for 7 p.m. UC returns to league play next weekend as it hosts Neumann University on Saturday and Sunday. Puck drop is 4 p.m. both days.



--- www.ucpioneers.com ---