UTICA, NY - The No. 8 Utica University women's hockey team will host Hilbert College for Senior Day on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. The second game is scheduled for Saturday, November 16, at 2 p.m. Both games will be played at the Utica University Nexus Center.
 
Follow Along: Both games can be watched here and live stats can be viewed here.
 
Last Time Out: The No. 11 Utica University women's hockey team dominated Chatham University 7-0 on November 9. 13 of the 14 goals against Chatham were scored by a different player; the only player to score multiple goals was Calhoun, who netted two goals and three assists. Three players scored their first collegiate goals. Seven different players notched one goal apiece: Ally Nolan (Westford, MA/Chatham University (NCAA DIII)), Riley Calhoun (New Hartford, NY/Plattsburgh State University (NCAA DIII)), Maya Jerome (Belleville, MI/Belle Tire), Hailey Modlin (Phoenix, AZ/Boston Shamrocks), Elliana Lasher (Clifton Park, NY/Rome Hockey), Kendall Best (Troy, MI/Troy (Belle Tire)) and Jordan Kowalski (Chicopee, MA/Plattsburgh State (NCAA DIII)). Seven different players registered an assist, while Calhoun had two. Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) started in the net, making one save behind a stellar defensive performance. Alex Venning (Courtice, ON/Ottawa Jr. 67s) played the third period and made seven saves in her first career game. The Pioneers opened the first period with nine shots in the first six minutes of action. With 16 minutes remaining, Nolan was assisted by Calhoun, who gave Utica a 1-0 lead. Seven minutes later, Lasher scored her first collegiate goal with another assist from Calhoun, giving the Pioneers an early 2-0 advantage. Calhoun stayed hot as she scored on a power play, sending Utica into the second period with a 3-0 lead. Utica outshot Chatham 30 to 3 and 18 to one on goal. Chatham held Utica scoreless for the first nine minutes of action in the second period. With 10 minutes left, the Pioneers struck on a powerplay as Best scored her first career goal, giving Utica a 4-0 advantage. Just under a minute remaining in the second, Kowalski notched Utica's fifth goal, taking a 5-0 lead to the third period. Five minutes into the third period, Modlin scored with an assist credited to Kaci Ryder (Shrewsbury, MA/Shrewsburg (Lady Flames)), taking a 6-0 lead. Jerome would tally Utica's seventh goal as they went on to win 7-0.
 
Senior Day: The five seniors that will be honored on Senior Day are Callie McLaughlin (Centerport, NY/New Hampton School), Riley Calhoun (New Hartford, NY/Plattsburgh State University (NCAA DIII)), Faithe Harris (West Kelowna, BC/Manhattanville College (NCAA DIII)), Autumn Mish (Long Lake, NY/University of New Hampshire (NCAA DI)) and Lauryn Brown (Eden, NY/Syracuse Valley Eagles).
 
In the Polls: Utica jumped three spots from No.11 to No. 8 in the USCO rankings on Monday afternoon.
 
Weekly Honors: Calhoun (Player of the Week), Lasher (Rookie of the Week) and Hawthorne (Goalie of the Week) each received a weekly award following their performance against Chatham University. Calhoun and Lasher combined for three goals and four assists. Hawthorne collected her second shutout in four games, along with making eight saves combined in two games. Her two shutouts are tied for first nationally, with three other players. The team has three shutouts, which is the first in the country.
 
Quick Numbers: The Pioneers rank top four in the nation in every major statistical offensive category. Assists (27), goals (18), power-play goals (5), scoring margin (4.00) and team points (45). Utica is outsourcing their opponents 18 to 2. Modlin continues to dominate the faceoff circle, ranking top-10 in the nation with 50 wins and 25 loses. Her physicality on the faceoff is what gives the Pioneers a major advantage over their opponents. Ryder and Tess Barrett (Tewksbury, MA/St. Mark's) are both on three-game point streaks. Ryder's tallied one goal, two assists and five shots, while Barrett has four assists and five shots.
 
Blue Liners: Mish leads Utica defenders with a plus-8 rating and 12 shots. Mish's ability to settle the puck in the offensive zone has given the Pioneer offense plenty more opportunities. Utica's defense has looked nearly perfect in four games, allowing only two goals which came against Elmira (both power-play goals) and giving up only 74 shots against. Barrett, Madison Novotny (Wesley Chapel, FL/Northwood School), Maya Jerome (Belleville, MI/Belle Tire), Madison Richman (Scituate, MA/North Shore Vipers), McLaughlin and Mish have combined for 13 points (4g, 9a). Novotny leads Utica with two power-play goals; one was the game-winner against Elmira.
 
Hilbert Scout: The Hawks are 0-4-0 overall and entering their third season of action. In the team's first two games, they fell to Hood College 3-2 and 4-3 (OT). Izabelle Wagner leads the team with four points off one goal and three assists. Against Hood, she tallied three assists and three shots; against MCLA, she scored one goal with five shots. Jacqueline Alaburda and Caitlin Conrad lead the Hawks with two goals apiece, while Conrad leads with one power-play goal. In goal is Tia Card, who started three games and sporting a .904 save percentage and 113 saves.
 
Up Next: Utica battles Nazareth on Friday, November 22 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 16 at 2 p.m. Friday's game is at Nazareth and Saturday is home at the Utica University Nexus Center.