UTICA, NY - The No. 9 Utica University women's hockey team gears up for a two-game slate against Nazareth University on Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27. Friday's puck drop is set for 7 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. start on Saturday. Both games will be played at the Utica University Nexus Center. 
 
Follow Along: Those who can't attend can watch and view live stats here.
 
Last Time Out: The then-No. 10 Utica University women's hockey team took down the Oswego State Lakers 2-1 last 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. 
 
In the Polls: The Utica University women's hockey moved up to No. 9 in this week's US College Hockey Online Women's Top 15. The poll was released Monday by the national college hockey website. The Pioneers received 134 points this week, 13 more than last week, to move up from its previous No. 10 ranking. Utica went on the road and defeated Oswego State, who received votes in the USCHO poll at the time, 2-1, in its lone game of the weekend. The entire Division III women's poll can be found at https://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-iii-womens-poll/. 
 
Home At Last: Utica will be home for the first time since December 2 against Neumann University, where they defeated the Knights on Senior Day, 11-0. The Pioneers are 6-0-1 at home, with the lone tie coming against Wilkes University on November 10. Utica is currently on a 19-game winning streak at home, while the only loss came to Manhattanville College in the UCHC conference semifinal on February 26, 2022, 2-2 (3-2 OT). 
 
The Rematch: Utica and Nazareth have played nothing but tight games dating back to the 2021-2022 season. Last season, they squared off three times, the first of which ending in a draw, and the second two resulting in a pair of heartbreaking overtime losses for the Pioneers. The most recent matchup came in the 2023 UCHC Championship game which saw the Golden Flyers take a dramatic 3-2 double overtime game. In the bout, Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) was incredible, making 48 saves. Utica's Maggie Rylott (Cobourg, Ontario/West Northumberland) and Carly Stefanini (Framingham, MA/Brooks School) provided a goal apiece in the contest for the Pioneers. 
 
Ticket Punched: The team has punched its ticket in the UCHC playoffs for the seventh time in a row, dating back to the 2017-18 season. Since joining the UCHC in 2017, Utica has had a plethora of success, having a winning record in all but one season in 2020. The abundance of veteran skaters this year have helped the team to a 14-1-2 record thus far with no losses in conference play. Through those 17 games, Utica has been nothing short of dominant, scoring the second most goals per game (4.5) across the nation as well as allowing the second fewest goals per game (.94). This plus-3.6 margin of goal differential is second in the nation, and marks Utica as one of four teams in the country with a goal margin higher than 3.0. This dominant play leaves Utica primed for a deep postseason run this year. 
 
32 We Trust In You: Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) has been as consistent as ever this season, adding to her already phenomenal track record in her senior season. She allowed only one goal on 27 shots against Oswego over the weekend, upping her season save percentage to .950. Hawthorne has had some superb outings against Nazareth in the past, making 30+ saves in each of the last three matchups. She will be put to the test this weekend against them again and will look to build on her strong season. 
 
Wildcat Turned Moose: Since joining the team coming into the semester, Autumn Mish (Long Lake, NY/University of New Hampshire (NCAA DI)) has made a huge impact, scoring at least a point in each of her first five games with Utica. The sophomore has provided five assists thus far and scored her first goal as a Pioneer in their 7-1 rout of Stevenson. Mish has proven to be a big addition to the team and will remain a key part of their success the remainder of the year. 
 
About Nazareth: The Golden Flyers sport an 11-5-1 overall record and 11-0-1 in the UCHC. Nazareth is on a four-game winning streak, with their last loss coming to Williams College (3-2 OT) on January 9. The team last played against Neumann University, beating them 9-0 in both matchups. Nazareth is led by two freshman forwards, Ella Cedrone and Meredith Boettcher. Cedrone has six goals, 15 assists and three power-play scores in 2024. She also leads the UCHC with 15 assists. Boettcher leads Nazareth with 10 goals. She has had eight goals and five helpers over the last six matchups since January 6, and her eight goals rank her third in the conference. Senior goaltender McKinley Hoff leads the Golden Flyers with 12 games started between the pipes and an 8-3-1 record. Hoff ranks third in the UCHC with a 1.17 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. She has allowed two goals over her last three games while collecting 37 saves.

Up Next: The Pioneers will remain home to host Chatham University on February 2 (7 p.m.) and 3 (2 p.m.) at the Utica University Nexus Center.