UTICA, NY - The No. 7 Utica University women's hockey team readies for one game this week on the road against No. 2 Middlebury College on Wednesday, December 4, at 4 p.m. This will be Utica's fourth game in a row against a nationally ranked-opponent. 
 
Follow Along: Live video here and live stats here.
 
Last Time Out: Utica met Adrian in the Sunshine Turkey Classic Championship on Saturday November 30 in Tampa, FL.  A matchup of two top-10 teams did not disappoint, as the two teams battled back and forth. The Pioneers had a response for every Bulldog attack during the first two periods, locking the game at two apiece entering the final period. An early Bulldog goal in the third period was too much for the Pioneers to overcome though, as they fell by a 3-2 decision in a heavyweight bout, achieving second place in this season's Sunshine Turkey Classic. Riley Calhoun (New Hartford, NY/Plattsburgh State University (NCAA DIII)) and Hailey Modlin (Phoenix, AZ/Boston Shamrocks) had the two scores for the Pioneers in the tournament finale, with Calhoun, Autumn Mish (Long Lake, NY/University of New Hampshire (NCAA DI)), and Jordan Kowalski (Chicopee, MA/Plattsburgh State (NCAA DIII)) contributing assists. Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) had a heroic effort in net, stopping 43 shots in her 60 minutes of gametime. Words can't really explain just how otherworldly Hawthorne's performance was, as she somehow got behind a handful of surefire Adrian goals. As a whole, the Pioneers fought hard on the penalty kill, not allowing a single Bulldog power play score despite enduring eight minutes of player-down ice time. The Pioneers were also extremely efficient on the night, making the most of their best opportunities to record their two scores. The team fell 3-2. 
 
In the Polls: The Pioneers moved up one spot in the USCHO weekly polls from No. 8 to No. 7. Poll: https://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-iii-womens-poll/
 
Where We Stand: Utica is tied with Nazareth for first in the UCHC standings with nine points and a 3-1-0 conference record.
 
In the Numbers: Utica's defense ranks in the top five nationally, allowing only one goal per game. The team ranks second in team points with 59 goals and 84 assists. The team's goals and assists are ranked second behind No. 4 Adrian. 
 
Getting Hot: Modlin has been on fire, posting four games and one assist in the past five games. Her faceoff play has led to plenty more Utica shots, as the team is second in the nation with 59 goals. Barrett is in the top six nationally with nine assists. Calhoun leads the Pioneers with a steady six goals and six assists. Against Adrian, she posted one goal and one assist on six shots.
 
Between the Pipes: Hawthorne has been nothing short of exceptional, making 99 saves in the team's past three games while also earning UCHC Goaltender of the Week. She has three shutouts, which ranks first in the country and is tied with four other players. Her ability to move side-to-side as fast as she does has given her plenty more opportunities to save the puck. 
 
Middlebury Scout: The Middlebury Panthers are 7-0-0 and 4-0-0 in NESCAC play. The team won the NESCAC championship last season over Hamilton (4-0) and eventually fell in the NCAA Tournament to Elmira in the semifinals (1-0). This season, Middlebury has outscored its opponents 27 to 4 and has only allowed four goals in seven games while not letting up more than one in any game. Sabrina Kim leads the Panthers with eight points off one goal and seven helpers. Kate Flynn is second with four goals and three assists. She has all four goals in the last four games, being a consistent contributor for Middlebury in her second season. The team has used two goaltenders during the season, Sophia Will and Sophia Merageas. Will is 4-0-0 with two shutouts and only one goal allowed. The only goal she let in was on November 16 against Hamilton, which came five minutes into the first period. Merageas sports a 3-0-0 record, posting a .957 save percentage and 67 saves. The Panthers are 12-0-0 all-time against the Pioneers, dating back to the 2002-2003 seasons. 
 
Up Next: Utica welcomes Hamilton College to the Utica University Nexus Center on Tuesday, December 10 at 7 p.m.