UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's hockey team netted two goals in each of the first two periods and cruised to an 8-0 victory in the first of a two-game weekend set against visiting King's College on Friday afternoon at the Adirondack Bank Center. Head Coach Dave Clausen, who is the only coach in program history, earned his 250^th career wins for the Pioneers.
 
The Pioneers are now unbeaten in their last seven contests and improved to 13-9-2 overall and 8-5-2 in the UCHC.  The Pioneers have clinched a post-season appearance for the 16^th time in the program's 17-year history. If Utica completes the weekend sweep of King's tomorrow, and Neumann loses both games to Elmira, the Pioneers will lock up a home game in the UCHC Conference quarterfinals next weekend.
 
The Pioneers took a 3-0 advantage in the first period behind goals from Elizabeth Dohner (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects), Emily Holtshouser (Manchester, NH/Middlesex Islanders) and Danielle Haasbeek (Grand Forks, ND/Balmoral Hall).  Holtshouser's goal marked the first of her career and the Pioneers held a 3-0 advantage after 20 minutes of action. 
 
UC added three more goals in the second period to take a 6-0 lead over the visiting Lady Monarchs. Lexi Stanisewski (Lawrence, MA/Boston Shamrocks) opened the second period scoring with her fourth goal of the season, assisted by Carlie Smith (Grimsby, Ontario/St. Catharine's Chaos), to put the Pioneers on top 4-0. Nicole Johnson (North Easton, MA/Holderness) then netted her first in the blue and orange, assisted by Veronique Lortie (Chambly, Quebec/Berkshire School) and Kelly Critzer (West Salem, OH/Ohio Flames), as the home team led 5-0 with 12:07 left in the second period of action. Carlie Smith (Grimsby, Ontario/St. Catharine's Chaos) closed out the second period with her first of the afternoon and seventh of the season to put Utica up by six goals.
 
Utica added two more goals in the third period, one off the stick of Meghan Power (Windsor, Ontario/Southwest Wildcats) and Smith found the back of the net again to close out the day.
 
Utica goalies Bria Reilly (Hamden, CT/Brewster Academy) and Amanda Lupo (Auburn, NY/Skaneateles) combined for three saves, while Kiva Sierra Stoltz and Emma Zeveney totaled 41 saves in the loss. 
 
The teams will wrap up the season series on Saturday.  Game time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.