UTICA, NY- The second-seeded Utica University women's ice hockey team will open up the United Collegiate Hockey Conference playoffs as it hosts seventh-seeded Alvernia University in the conference quarterfinal on Tuesday. Puck drop from the Adirondack Bank Center will be at 3 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT: The Pioneers dropped a two-game series at home against nationally ranked No. 7 Nazareth College this past weekend. On Friday, Utica suffered a 3-2 heartbreaking overtime loss against the Golden Flyers.
Erica Sloan (Potsdam, NY/St. Lawrence Steel) and
Carolyn Whitney (Raleigh, NC/Milbrook School) each had a goal in the loss. On Saturday's senior day, Nazareth defeated the Pioneers 5-1, with the lone goal for Utica coming from
Caley Susitti (Hartland, WI/Milwaukee Jr. Admirals).
PLAYOFF HISTORY: This season marks the 20th time in the program's 21-year history where the Pioneers have qualified for the playoffs. With 20 wins this season, Utica has already set a new single-season record for wins and the team's best winning percentage in history. Finishing second in the conference in the regular season is also Utica's highest finish in conference.
STATISTICAL SUCCESS: The Pioneers are ranked in the top three nationally in a plethora of statistics. Utica is first in goals (146), assists (240), team points (386), and scoring offense (5.84 goals per game), second in short-handed goals (10), and third in scoring margin (4.40) and team faceoff win percentage (60.1).
SANTULLO CLOSING IN: Senior forward
Georgiana Santullo (Woburn, MA/Boston Shamrocks/Woburn High School) currently has 53 points (27 goals, 26 assists) and is only one point away from tying Deana Wiegand's 54-point single-season program record from 2003-04. After starting her senior campaign with three straight hat tricks, Santullo has been among the nation's leaders all season. Santullo currently ranks second nationally in goals per game (1.12), total goals (27), power play goals (eight), she is third in points per game (2.21), and fifth in assists per game (1.08).
SHE CAN'T BE SLOAN DOWN: Junior forward
Erica Sloan (Potsdam, NY/St. Lawrence Steel) is having one of the best seasons in program history. Sloan became only the second Pioneer in the past 18 years to reach the 50-point mark in a single-season. Sloan currently has 24 goals and 26 assists in 25 games played. she sits fourth nationally in goals per game (0.96), short-handed goals (three) and points per game (2.00).
SOPHOMORE SHOT STOPPER: Sophomore goaltender
Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) has had one of the best single seasons for a goalie in Utica history. Hawthorne currently has a 13-2 record and her five shutouts lead the conference and ranks fifth in the nation. Hawthorne also owns a 1.201 goals against average, which ranks second in the conference and 10th in the nation. Hawthorne's .944 save percentage also leads the conference among qualified goaltenders.
BEST DUO SINCE 2003?: Georgiana Santullo (Woburn, MA/Boston Shamrocks/Woburn High School) and
Erica Sloan (Potsdam, NY/St. Lawrence Steel) have made their case for one of the best Utica hockey duos in program history. Their combined 103 points this season are just three shy of tying Deana Wiegand (25 goals, 29 assists) and Kristi Bland's (19 goals, 33 assists) 106-point 2003 season. Wiegand and Bland currently sit first and third all-time in single-season points, while Santullo and Sloan are second and fourth, respectively.
ANALYZING ALVERNIA: The Golden Wolves are 11-13-1 overall (9-10-1 UCHC) and are currently coming off a 1-0 loss versus Manhattanville. Alvernia is led by junior Olivia Gilida (eight goals, 12 assists) and first year Sydney Bradley (seven goals, 13 assists). Utica is 3-0 all-time against Alvernia. The last time the two teams played was on Dec. 3 and 4, 2021, where the Pioneers won 8-2 and 5-0.
LOOKING AHEAD: The winner of Tuesday's quarterfinal will advance to the semifinal on Saturday. If Utica defeats Alvernia, the semifinal will take place this Saturday at the Adirondack Bank Center at 2 p.m.
