OWINGS MILLS, MD - The No. 10 Utica University women's ice hockey team posted a third straight win, while remaining undefeated in conference play on Friday. The Pioneers charged out of the gate with a three goal first period, and kept pressure continually on their hosts en route to a 9-0 United Collegiate Hockey Conference win over Stevenson at the Reisterstown SportsPlex.

Utica improved to 12-1-2 overall, and 9-0-2 in UCHC play. The Pioneers continue to park themselves at the top of the UCHC standings with 30 standings points, four ahead of second place Nazareth. Stevenson is now 3-13-0 overall, and 3-8-0 in conference play.

The Pioneers were fueled by a program record three shorthanded goals, and logged four special teams goals in total as the Utica power play converted once on three chances.

Three Pioneers had multi-goal outings as part of the nine goal outburst. Maggie Rylott (Cobourg, Ontario/West Northumberland) logged a hat trick, Abby Lillis (West Seneca, NY/Buffalo Bisons) scored her first two goals of the campaign, and Molly Pedone (Trinity, FL/Shattuck-St. Mary's) also scored twice to help set the pace in a dominant performance. Hailey Modlin (Phoenix, AZ/Boston Shamrocks) had a remarkable one goal, three assist outing while absolutely pummeling opposing centers at the faceoff dot. She won fourteen of fifteen in Friday's game. Carly Stefanini (Framingham, MA/Brooks School) scored the team's power play goal, and Carolyn Whitney (Raleigh, NC/Millbrook School) had three assists. Autumn Mish (Long Lake, NY/University of New Hampshire (NCAA DI)) tacked on an assist to extend her point streak to three consecutive games since joining the team as a midseason transfer.

In net, Maddie Esposito (Ashburn, VA/Boston Shamrocks) made 18 saves for her second career shutout.

Utica outshot the Mustangs 69-18 over three periods, while scoring three goals in each period en route to the win.

The Pioneers are now unbeaten against Stevenson in the last nine meetings. They seek a sixth straight win over the Mustangs on Saturday in the second and final regular season matchup between the two sides. That game is slated for 3 p.m. in Owings Mills.