OSWEGO, NY - The No. 10 Utica University women's hockey team takes down the Oswego State Lakers 2-1 on Friday afternoon behind Angela Hawthorne's (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) 26 saves. 

Erica Sheaffer (New Hartford, NY/Wilkes University) and Jordan Kowalski (Chicopee, MA/Plattsburgh State (NCAA DIII)) recorded Utica's only two goals. Assists were credited to Courtney Stanszewski, Kelsey Elliott (Attleboro, MA/East Coast Wizards), Autumn Mish (Long Lake, NY/University of New Hampshire (NCAA DI)) and Sheaffer. Carly Stefanini (Framingham, MA/Brooks School) and Maggie Rylott (Cobourg, Ontario/West Northumberland) led Utica with eight shots each. Kowalski took the majority of the faceoffs for Utica, winning 10 out of her 19 attempts. Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) stood tall in net, registering 26 saves for a .963 save percentage. 

Within the first two minutes of the first period, each team fired off one shot on net. Utica goaltender Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) and Oswego goaltender Hannah Skavnak registered one save each early on. 
 

With 15:40 left in the first period, Oswego had a quality scoring chance as both Leah Coley and Simeone Bednarik had a shot on net but Hawthorne was there to swipe both shots away. At 12:22, Utica struck first as Mish passed the puck off the boards to Jordan Kowalski (Chicopee, MA/Plattsburgh State (NCAA DIII)) as she skated right through the Laker defense and got a shot to the top right corner to give Utica a 1-0 lead. 

Autumn Mish (Long Lake, NY/University of New Hampshire (NCAA DI)) was penalized for a cross-check with 3:47 left in the first to put Oswego on its power play. The Lakers got only two shots off and Hawthorne was there to deny both, sending Utica into the second period up 1-0. 

Oswego outshot Utica 10 to eight, while both teams won seven faceoffs each over the first 20 minutes of action. 

The second period saw more speed and physical play from both sides. Utica went on its power play only two minutes into the second period as Oswego's Erika Parenti was called for a tripping penalty. The Pioneers recorded two shots during the power play, but both shots were turned away by Skavnak. 

With 9:41 left in the second, Courtney Staniszewski dished the puck to Erica Sheaffer (New Hartford, NY/Wilkes University) who capitalized giving Utica a 2-0 lead. At 10:25 Utica's Hailey Modlin (Phoenix, AZ/Boston Shamrocks) committed a cross-checking penalty, sending Oswego on their power play at. Mack Hull answered shortly after as the Lakers scored its first goal cutting the lead in half, sending the teams into the third period with Utica up, 2-1. 

The second period saw five penalties committed, three from Oswego and two from Utica. Utica outshot Oswego in the second 14 to 12, while the Lakers took the edge on faceoffs, 8-7. 
 

Both teams came out playing fast to start the third period as nine shots were fired off between both teams within the first seven minutes. Utica had two quality scoring chances with 16:00 left on the clock in the third period as Carly Stefanini (Framingham, MA/Brooks School) and Staniszewski had back-to-back prime scoring chances, but Skavnak denied both. 

Utica had a chance to put the nail on the coffin with nine minutes remaining in the third, as Oswego's Lauren Schell was penalized for slashing. The Laker defense stopped Utica, allowing only one shot on net during the two minute minor. Both teams would go shot-for-shot the rest of the period, but none would find the back of the net. Utica would hang on to win 2-1. 

Utica (14-1-2, 6-0-1 UCHC) will host Nazareth University on Friday, January 26 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, January 27 at 2 p.m. for a crucial UCHC set. Both games will be played at the Utica University Nexus Center.