UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's hockey team dropped its season-opener with a 5-1 loss to visiting Elmira College on Saturday.
 
The three-time defending UCHC champion Soaring Eagles used a four-goal second period to come away with the season-opening win.  Mary McCafferty led Elmira with two goals and one assist on the day. Morgan Mordini had a two-point outing with a pair of assists, while Erika Goleniak had a goal and an assist. Brooke McArdle and Eliza Beaudin finished with one goal.
 
Utica was able to get on the board at 3:28 of the third when sophomore Hailey Modlin (Phoenix, AZ/Boston Shamrocks) put in her own rebound on the powerplay for her first of the year.  Classmates Madison Novotny (Wesley Chapel, FL/Northwood School) and Carly Stefanini (Framingham, MA/Brooks School) assisted on the tally. 
 
Senior Savannah Gutierrez (Huntington Beach, CA/Anaheim Lady Ducks) made 31 saves in 37:20 of work, while sophomore Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) finished with six saves in relief. 
 
The Pioneers look to bounce back next weekend as they open UCHC play at Arcadia University on Friday and Saturday.  Friday's game is slated to start at 7:30, while Saturday's faceoff is set for 3:30 p.m.