UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's hockey team faces a tough test this weekend as it takes on UCHC Conference foe and nationally ranked No. 1 Elmira College in a home-and-home series.  The teams will face off on Friday at 7 p.m. in Elmira before wrapping up the series in Utica at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
 
LAST TIME OUT: Utica is coming off a 5-2 loss at Oswego on Sunday… Veronique Lortie (Chambly, Quebec/Berkshire School) scored her second of the year and Elizabeth Dohner (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects) netted a short-handed unassisted tally… Jennifer Arts (Lakeside, Ontario/London Devilettes) assisted on Lortie's goal, as did freshman transfer Nicole Johnson (North Easton, MA/Holderness), who recorded her first career point in her first game as a Pioneer… Gabrielle Igo (Phoenix, AZ/Northern Cyclones) and Bria Reilly (Hamden, CT/Brewster Academy) combined for 23 saves in the loss.
 
A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE: The Pioneers are currently fourth in the UCHC standings with six points… 12 of Utica's 13 remaining games are UCHC conference contests, including eight games against teams who are currently below the Pioneers in the standings.
 
GOING GOLD ALL YEAR LONG: All season long, the Pioneers will wear special edition gold ribbon uniforms to raise awareness for childhood cancer… The jerseys are currently being auctioned off online (HERE) and bidding can be done in person at any home game this year… The person with the winning bid will be invited to the Pioneers' end of season banquet, where they will be given their jersey from the player who wore it all season… Additionally, Utica's game against Morrisville State on Dec. 9 served as the Pioneers' 6th annual gold ribbon game for childhood cancer awareness… All money raised at the event and through the jersey auction will be donated to the family of a local child who is battling cancer… The Pioneers have raised over $22,000 for the cause over the last five years.
 
FIRE AT WILL: The Pioneers are averaging 35.9 shots per game, while holding their opponents to 23.9 shots per game… The third period has proven to be Utica's best period as UC has scored 18 goals in the final stanza, while allowing just seven goals against. 
 
LEADING THE WAY: Elizabeth Dohner (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects), Rebecca Brown (Steamboat Springs, CO/Norwich University), and Meghan Power (Windsor, Ontario/Southwest Wildcats) are tied for the team lead with 10 points apiece… Dohner and Brown each have four goals and six assists, while Power has two goals and a team-best eight helpers.
 
SCOUTING ELMIRA: The Soaring Eagles, who were ranked No. 1 in the latest USCHO.com national poll, are 11-2 overall and hold a perfect 6-0 record in league play… Elmira is coming off a 3-0 loss to defending National Champion Plattsburgh State on Monday… Elmira has nine players with at least 10 points on the season, led by Katie Granato (13 goals, seven assists) and Sarah Hughson (11 goals, nine assists). 
 
AGAINST THE SOARING EAGLES: Utica is 1-6-1 against Elmira in the last three seasons… Last year, UC tied Elmira 2-2 at home and lost 5-2 on the road… Elizabeth Dohner (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects) scored three goals for the Pioneers on the weekend… The last time Utica defeated the Soaring Eagles was on March 5, 2016 when UC came away with a 5-1 victory in the ECAC West Conference semifinals.
 
LOOKING AHEAD: The Pioneers return to action next weekend with a home-and-home series against William Smith College… Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday in Geneva and 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica.