CLINTON, NY – The Utica College women's hockey team lost a tight 2-1 decision against Morrisville State on Saturday afternoon in the 6th annual Gold Ribbon Game at historic Clinton Arena. Morrisville's Kylie Cameron broke the 1-1 tie 8:57 into the third period play to help lift the Mustangs to a one goal victory.
Since the 2012-13 season, the UC women's hockey program has dedicated one game each year towards raising awareness for childhood cancer, which is a cause that strikes close to home for the Pioneers. Each year, the team partners with a foundation to help ease the medical costs of a local family with a child who is battling cancer. To date, the Pioneers have raised over $22,000 for the cause through their gold ribbon game (gold is the color of childhood cancer awareness).
Utica snapped a three game winning streak and saw its record move to 7-4 overall and 3-1 in the UCHC. Morrisville's record improved to 8-4-2 overall in the win.
Morrisville got on the board first when Bailey Dillabough netted her first of the year, assisted by Maria deWilde and Shanley Austin to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead with less than five minutes to go in the first.
Utica knotted the score at 1-1 when Danielle Haasbeek (Grand Forks, ND/Balmoral Hall) put in he own rebound for her third goal of the season at the 4:53 marker of the second period. Haasbeek's goal was assisted by Meghan Power (Windsor, Ontario/Southwest Wildcats) and Carlie Smith (Grimsby, Ontario/St. Catharine's Chaos). Power now has a team-best eight assists this season.
The game-winning goal by Morrisville came midway through the third period. Kylie Cameron netted her fourth of the year to put the Mustangs up by one goal, assisted by Mackenzie Lombardi.
The Mustangs outshot the Pioneers 13-7 in the final 20 minutes of action and held on to secure the one goal win.
The Mustangs earned a 31-22 shot advantage on the afternoon and both teams were held scoreless on the power-play.
Utica senior goalie Amanda Lupo (Auburn, NY/Skaneateles) stopped 29 shots in the loss, while Karoline Arvik improved to 8-4-2 on the year and stopped 21 shots in the victory for Morrisville.
UC returns to the ice after the semester break when it travels to Oswego State to take on the Lakers in non-conference action at 3 p.m.
