UTICA, NY - The No. 8 Utica University women's hockey team picked up an extra point in the UCHC standings after claiming the shootout against Wilkes University 1-0 on Friday evening. The teams officially tied 0-0 while the Pioneers earned two points in the league standings to the Colonels' one. 
 
Erica Sloan (Potsdam, NY/St. Lawrence Steel) played hero in the game as she provided the game-winning shootout goal. With her overtime shutout, Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) picked up the 14th of her career, making her the new all-time program leader. 
 
In the contest, the Pioneers outshot the Colonel 54-22 as Wilkes goalie Audrey Mile was spectacular all evening, stopping each of Utica's 54 looks. The sides nearly split faceoffs with Utica taking 28 of the game's 53. The lone penalty of the night came in overtime as Wilkes' Lily Zingaro was called for tripping. 
 
Utica and Wilkes came out firing in the first period of the game, both getting quality scoring opportunities. Both teams had trouble finding the back of the net however, combining for 14 shots on goal but nothing to show. 
 
Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) recorded eight saves in the first while Audrey Milne collected seven. Utica won the faceoff battle 9-5 in the first period as Maggie Rylott (Cobourg, Ontario/West Northumberland) led the Pioneers with three wins. 
 
Midway through the second period, Jordan Kowalski (Chicopee, MA/Plattsburgh State (NCAA DIII)) had a prime scoring chance but was denied by goaltender Audrey Milne. Shortly after, the Colonels applied pressure again on Utica's defense at the blue line as freshman Tilly Wierdsma broke free to the goal. However, Hawthorne was there to gobble up the puck. With 2:25 left in the second, Wilkes's Chayce Hyndman had a clean look on goal, but once again Hawthorne was there to make a fantastic save as the teams would head into the third 0-0. 
 
The third period saw little production from both sides. Utica had three shots on goal in the first three minutes of play, all of which were denied by Milne. With 7:25 left in the period, Wilkes had a prime scoring chance as Sabrina Kotlarcyzk was all alone in the slot as she fired a shot, but Hawthorne was there to register another save. Between both teams, there were 27 shots on goal as Utica was responsible for 19 and Wilkes tallied six. Hawthorne ended regulation with 22 saves compared to Milne's 46.
 
Three periods weren't enough as the teams headed into overtime tied 0-0. At 2:42, Wilkes' Lily Zingaro committed a tripping penalty to send Utica on its power play, but the Pioneers could not capitalize. Utica and Wilkes would finish overtime tied 0-0 and head into a shootout to decide the game. 
 
Both teams missed their first couple of shots, but Utica finally sealed the game as Erica Sloan (Potsdam, NY/St. Lawrence Steel) notched the goal in the last shot of the shootout for the extra league point.  
 
No. 8 Utica (4-0-1, 2-0-1 UCHC) and Wilkes will meet again for the rubber match at 2 p.m. on Saturday from the Utica University Nexus Center.