UTICA, NY - The No. 13 Utica University Women's Hockey team won 3-2 in an overtime thriller against the No. 5 Elmira College Soaring Eagles on Saturday evening, capturing the championship trophy in their annual Utica University Kickoff Tournament.
 
Madison Novotny (Wesley Chapel, FL/Northwood School) scored the game-winner only 38 seconds into overtime. Kaci Ryder (Shrewsbury, MA/Shrewsburg (Lady Flames)) and Molly Pedone (Trinity, FL/Shattuck-St. Mary's) also notched one goal apiece. Hailey Modlin (Phoenix, AZ/Boston Shamrocks), Kendall Best (Troy, MI/Troy (Belle Tire)), Angelina Garganese (Winter Springs, Fl/Florida Alliance), Jordan Kowalski (Chicopee, MA/Plattsburgh State (NCAA DIII)), Madison Richman (Scituate, MA/North Shore Vipers) and Tess Barrett (Tewksbury, MA/St. Mark's) tallied one assist each. Modlin led Utica with seven shots and ten faceoff wins, followed by Riley Calhoun (New Hartford, NY/Plattsburgh State University (NCAA DIII)) with five shots and eight faceoff victories.
 
Angelina Hawthorne started in goal for Utica and was very sharp despite being less than 24 hours removed from a stunning shutout that clinched the championship appearance for the Pioneers. She was locked in all night, making 33 saves. Hawthorne registered 15 in the first period, six in the second and 12 in the third.
 
Elmira and Utica combined for 23 shots in the first period, 15 for the Soaring Eagles and eight for the Pioneers. No goals were scored in the period, resulting in a 0-0 score entering the second period. Hawthorne made five saves within the first three minutes of action, keeping the Elmira offense at bay.
 
Molly Pedone (Trinity, FL/Shattuck-St. Mary's) scored the first goal for Utica with just under six minutes to play in the second period. Pedone made a beautiful play off an Elmira turnover in the Pioneer offensive zone, driving down towards net and finding a microscopic scoring window at the near post to give Utica a 1-0 lead. With two minutes remaining in the period, Ryder scored, extending the Pioneer lead to 2-0 heading into the final period. Ryder made great plays all night and had quality backchecks to retain the puck for Utica. 
 
The Soaring Eagles answered back with two tallies in the third period, inching closer and tying the game at two. Elmira and Utica would go to overtime to decide the winner of the Utica Kickoff Tournament. However, Utica wasted no time during the bonus hockey, scoring 38 seconds in on Novotny's goal to clinch the tournament victory.
 
Utica (2-0-0, 0-0-0 UCHC) travels to Chatham University for two matchups on November 8 at 3 p.m. and November 9 at 1 p.m.