UTICA, NY – The nationally-ranked No. 1 Elmira College women's hockey team pulled away with two third period goals to top host Utica College 5-2 in United Collegiate Hockey Conference action at the Adirondack Bank Center on Saturday afternoon. 

Utica's record dropped to 7-7 overall and the Pioneers are 3-3 in league play. UC returns to the ice on Saturday when it travels to William Smith for UCHC action at 4 p.m.

The Pioneers played the Soaring Eagles tough all afternoon and the two teams were deadlocked at 2-2 early in the second period of play.  Veronique Lortie (Chambly, Quebec/Berkshire School)'s third goal of the season 4:53 into the second period tied the game up at 2-2. The Pioneers second tally of the game was assisted by Taylor Dion (Colchester, VT/Boston Shamrocks) and Jennifer Arts (Lakeside, Ontario/London Devilettes).

Elmira jumped out to a first period 1-0 lead just 4:59 into the contest when Rachel Grampp netted her third goal of the season.  Utica's Meghan Power (Windsor, Ontario/Southwest Wildcats) knotted the score at 1-1 just 1:27 into the second period. Danielle Haasbeek (Grand Forks, ND/Balmoral Hall) and Olivia Hirschy (Fort Wayne, IN/Culver Academies) were each credited with an assist on the Pioneers' opening goal.

Unfortunately for the Pioneers the nation's top team pulled away with two third period goals to earn the victory.

Utica goalie Bria Reilly (Hamden, CT/Brewster Academy) stopped 28 shots on the afternoon, while Kelcey Crawford made 20 saves and improved to 11-2 on the year.

Elmira improved to 13-2 overall on the season and 8-0 in league play.  The Soaring Eagles earned a 33-22 shot advantage and went 1-for-3 on the power-play.