UTICA, NY - The Utica College women's hockey team is set to meet conference opponent Wilkes University in a home-and-home conference series this weekend. The Pioneers will visit Wilkes for a 5 p.m. puck drop on Friday at the Toyota SportsPlex at Coal Street, and host the Colonels on Saturday with a 5 p.m. start time scheduled at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. 

Follow Along Friday:  For fans looking to watch the Pioneers in action this weekend while they are on the road, Wilkes' athletic department will have live video of the event at https://gowilkesu.com/sports/2015/7/31/GEN_0731155646.aspx. Coverage of Friday's game will be provided by Wilkes Athletic Communications.

Live Saturday: Due to pre existing COVID-19 restrictions, spectators are not allowed at Utica College sporting events until further notice. Live video and stats will be provided for all home games at portal.stretchinternet.com/utica/. Sports Information Assistant Ray Biggs '13 will have the call. Owners of devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire, and AppleTV can download the Empire 8 app to watch home games. 

Last Time Out: Utica faced undefeated foe Elmira College last weekend in a home-and-home series, but unfortunately fell in both games in come-from-behind fashion by scores of 3-2, and 4-2. In Friday's game, a pair of goals by Alexa Carlon (Lakewood, NY/Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) sandwiched a trio of Elmira goals as the Soaring Eagles stalled a Pioneer comeback effort by a 3-2 score. On Saturday, the teams were tied 1-1 in the first period, after Utica's Erica Sloan (Potsdam, NY/St. Lawrence Steel) scored the first goal of the night, assisted by Georgiana Santullo (Woburn, MA/Boston Shamrocks/Woburn High School) and Maggie Rylott (Cobourg, Ontario/West Northumberland). Elmira scored twice in the first minute of the second period to take the lead, and ultimately pull away to a 4-2 win over the Pioneers. Sophomore Carolyn Whitney (Raleigh, NC/Milbrook School) scored the other goal late in the second period for Utica, assisted by freshman Carly Stefanini (Framingham, MA/Brooks School), and Madison Novotny (Wesley Chapel, FL/Northwood School). Utica rookie goalie Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) stopped 34 of the 38 shots fired at her in the road loss. The Pioneers were 2-for-5 on the power play in Saturday's game. 

The Series with Wilkes: This will mark the fifth and sixth all-time meetings against Wilkes. Utica is 4-0 against the Colonels, who joined the conference three years ago, and is hoping to keep that same momentum going into this weekend's games. Utica won 2-1 at Wilkes last season, with Maddie Paydos (Simsbury, CT/Vermont Academy) and Whitney each recording goals on the night. Utica then hosted Wilkes late in the season and found another win by a 2-0 score. Lexi Stanisewski (Lawrence, MA/Boston Shamrocks) and Sloan each found the back of the net in the home leg of the season series. 

Alexa...Play Shotmaker: Freshman forward Alexa Carlon (Lakewood, NY/Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) was the star of Friday's game against Elmira. She was the team's lone goal scorer and made that status count with a two goal game. She scored the second of her two goals with just 16 seconds left in the third period of a 3-2 loss. She has five points on three goals and two assists. 

Working Whitney: Sophomore forward Carolyn Whitney (Raleigh, NC/Milbrook School) brought herself into the double digit points quickly this season, after recording one goal and two assists over the weekend against Elmira. This keeps her at the top of the team board in points, and she is also ranked 22nd nationally for assists with seven assists in eight games.

Keeping Their Streaks Alive: If they appear in the game Friday, sophomore forwards Erica Sloan (Potsdam, NY/St. Lawrence Steel), Maggie Rylott (Cobourg, Ontario/West Northumberland), and Abby Lillis (West Seneca, NY/Buffalo Bisons) will appear in their 35th straight game to begin their career. They are the only three members of the Utica sophomore class to appear in every game of their careers.

Another Stef In The Right Direction: Freshman forward Carly Stefanini (Framingham, MA/Brooks School) added to her incredible start with her first career assist over the weekend. She has five goals and an assist for six points to sit second on the team. She is one of two Pioneers with two power play goals, the other being sophomore forward Erica Sloan (Potsdam, NY/St. Lawrence Steel). 

West Coast Goalies: Junior goalie Savannah Gutierrez (Huntington Beach, CA/Anaheim Lady Ducks) saved 38 of the 41 shots fired at her during Friday's game, and continued her superb recent play in a second straight appearance facing over 40 shots. Her performances against Elmira and Nazareth have brought Gutierrez to a national ranking of 14th in save percentage(.939). After saving 34 of the 38 shots on goal during Saturday's game, freshman goalie Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) currently holds the rank of 18th in the nation for save percentage(.928). 

About Wilkes: The Colonels are now in their third season of women's ice hockey. They are 0-4 to start the season. Wilkes ended the 2019-2020 season with an overall record of 5-17-1, and a conference record of 4-11-1. The Colonels have a young team this year, with just four juniors and no seniors on the roster. Shauna Tubbs is the leading scorer with four points on three goals and an assist. Junior Ally Jolly and freshman Addy Olson have split time between the pipes. Wilkes is coached by former Cortland and Morrisville State coach Earl Utter. 

Up Next: Utica will hit the road to Aston, Pennsylvania to play Neumann University on Wednesday, March 17th, at 5 p.m. at the IceWorks Complex just outside of Philadelphia. They will host the Knights on Saturday, March 20th at 2:30 p.m. at the Aud.