UTICA, NY - The No. 14 Utica University women's ice hockey team turned to a slightly unorthodox form of offense to defeat Morrisville on Tuesday. In a physical game, the Pioneers scored two shorthanded goals, including the game-winner to top the visiting Mustangs by a 3-2 score at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. 

The Pioneers are now unbeaten in their last seven games, as they improved to 6-1-1 overall with the non-conference win. Morrisville falls to 2-8-1.

Morrisville held a 36-33 edge in shots. That total was boosted by eight shots on four power play chances. Utica's penalty kill was perfect for the evening. 

Eight different Pioneers recorded a point in the game. Erica Sloan (Potsdam, NY/St. Lawrence Steel), Cortney Staniszewski (Buffalo, NY/Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles), and Abby Lillis (West Seneca, NY/Buffalo Bisons) each scored a goal, while Molly Pedone (Trinity, FL/Robert Morris), Holly Silva (Boston, MA/Worcester Academy), Hailey Modlin (Phoenix, AZ/Boston Shamrocks), Tess Barrett (Tewksbury, MA/St. Mark's), and Madison Novotny (Wesley Chapel, FL/Northwood School) each tacked on an assist. 

Kendra Johnston and Emily Olson scored for Morrisville. 

In net, Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) made 34 saves to pick up the win, while Maggie Jones turned away 30 shots in the loss for the Mustangs. 

The Mustangs got the early jump when Emily Olson deposited a rebound at 10:07 of the first period for a 1-0 lead that held through the end of the frame. 

In the second period, the Pioneers got even on a shorthanded goal by Erica Sloan (Potsdam, NY/St. Lawrence Steel). Sloan lifted the puck over the shoulder of Jones for her team-leading eighth goal of the season, and the score was tied 1-1 through 40 minutes. 

A shot from the high slot by Cortney Staniszewski (Buffalo, NY/Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) put the Pioneers ahead at 2:59 of the third, with Modlin and Barrett picking up the assists. The 2-1 lead was short lived, as Morrisville's Kendra Johnston countered with a goal for the visitors just 1:11 later. 

A tripping minor to Callie McLaughlin (Centerport, NY/New Hampton School) appeared to leave the door open for the visitors to have a chance at the lead, but Molly Pedone (Trinity, FL/Robert Morris) and Abby Lillis (West Seneca, NY/Buffalo Bisons) turned that opportunity in favor of the home team quickly. Off the ensuing draw, Pedone made a great crossover play at her own blue line to clear the zone, and skated in on Jones with Lillis alongside on a 2-on-1. Pedone's next move split the pads of Jones, and the shot left a solid rebound for Lillis to lift to the roof of the net for the shorthanded game-winning goal at 10:32. 

The Mustangs made a solid bid over the final minutes with the extra attacker, but their momentum was defused by a pair of late penalties and the Pioneers held on to win. 

The Pioneers will wrap up the Fall semester this weekend with a pair of matchups against Alvernia.