UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's hockey team used a three-goal first period to down visiting Stevenson University 4-2 in United Collegiate Hockey Conference action Friday afternoon.  Four different players scored in the win for UC.
 
With the victory, Utica improves to 13-4 overall and 10-2 in UCHC play.  This marks the seventh time in program history that the Pioneers have recorded at least 10 conference wins in a season.  Stevenson meanwhile drops to 6-11-1 (3-7-1 UCHC) on the year.
 
Utica opened the scoring just 2:25 into the game when freshman Caley Susitti (Hartland, WI/Milwaukee Jr. Admirals) was in the right place at the right time and buried a puck from the top of the crease.  Senior Danielle Haasbeek (Grand Forks, ND/Balmoral Hall) fired a shot from the point that banked off the end boards and right onto the stick of Susitti who put in her second of the year.  Senior Kirsten Johnson (Brockville, Ontario/RSL Midget Thunder AA) was also credited with an assist on the play.
 
The Pioneers extended their lead at 9:22 when sophomore Lexi Stanisewski (Lawrence, MA/Boston Shamrocks) picked the pocket of a Mustang defender and went in alone on goalie Catie Darosa. Stanisewski deked right and then fired a back hand shot over the outstretched leg of Darosa for her eight of the season.  Stanisewski's shorthanded tally was unassisted.
 
Stevenson got one back just over halfway through the first as Kellen Wittman redirected a shot from the point that found the back of the net for her team-leading 15^th goal of the year.  Casey Storck and Carly McGee assisted on the tally.
 
The Pioneers regained the two-goal lead with 2:17 remaining in the opening stanza when sophomore Katrina Cornick (Mason City, IA/Rocky Mountain Roughriders) put in her third of the year, assisted by seniors Colby Begis (Little Elm, TX/Dallas Stars) and Taylor Dion (Colchester, VT/Boston Shamrocks).  Cornick came down the right wing side and slid a shot between the legs of Darosa to close out the scoring for the period.
 
Only one goal was scored in the second stanza and it came just 2:32 into the frame as Stevenson's Angelica Saluzzo put in her first of the year.  Trinity Barcless and Colleen McAnespie assisted on the play.
 
An insurance tally by freshman Georgiana Santullo (Woburn, MA/Boston Shamrocks/Woburn High School) sealed the victory at 12:58 as she put in a feed from Stanisewski for her seventh goal of the season.  Senior Elizabeth Dohner (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects) also contributed an assist on Santullo's tally.
 
Junior Bria Reilly (Hamden, CT/Brewster Academy) made 28 saves in net, including a key stop on a breakaway in the second period to preserve the Utica lead.  Reilly also held Stevenson scoreless on four power plays.  Darosa and Annie Smyth-Hammond combined for 22 saves for the Mustangs.
 
The teams wrap up the season series Saturday afternoon at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.  Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m.