UTICA, NY - The No. 13 Utica University women's hockey team remains home this weekend to host Chatham University. The Pioneers and Cougars will meet at 7 p.m. on Friday night and then at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Both games will be played at the Utica University Nexus Center.
Follow Along: Those unable to attend can keep up with live video and stats through
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/utica/.
Last Time Out: The then-No. 9 Utica University women's hockey team fell 2-1 to Nazareth University in a closely contested matchup last Saturday afternoon.
Carolyn Whitney (Raleigh, NC/Millbrook School) led the way for Utica with the team's only goal.
Erica Sloan (Potsdam, NY/St. Lawrence Steel) was credited with the assist on the score. Goalkeeper
Maddie Esposito (Ashburn, VA/Boston Shamrocks) turned away some prime scoring chances for Nazareth, racking up 17 saves in the losing effort.
Autumn Mish (Long Lake, NY/University of New Hampshire (NCAA DI)) led Utica with six shots, while
Erica Sheaffer (New Hartford, NY/Wilkes University) led Utica in faceoff wins going 8-for-14. Utica came out firing in the first period, putting immense pressure on Golden Flyer goaltender Mckinley Hoff. The Pioneers struck first as Sloan connected with Whitney to put Utica up 1-0 6:50 into the period. Utica held Nazareth to only four shots in the first compared to its 11. Nazareth's only penalty on the afternoon came in the first period with 10:47 left as Allie Zack was penalized for hooking. Utica would remain on top 1-0 heading into the second period. The second period turned out to be the complete opposite of the first period as Utica recorded four shots compared to Nazareths' seven. Ella Cedrone scored the first Golden Flyer goal with assists credited to Abby Flanagan and Sophia Nortz at the 13 minute mark. Utica made some great plays but could not connect as Nazareth grabbed the second period's only goal as the game entered the third period knotted up at 1-1. Both sides played a contested third period, with 13 shots let off before the third period's first goal. Nazareth connected again at the seven minute mark with a goal credited to Meredith Boettcher, while Makenna Wilijanen grabbed the assist, putting the Golden Flyers up 2-1. There were four shots let off between both squads in the last seven minutes, but Nazareth held on to top the Pioneers 2-1.
In the Polls: The Utica University women's hockey team fell to No. 13 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 75 points this week to slip from No. 10 to No. 13. The Pioneers fell to Nazareth University, who received 24 points in this week's rankings, in both games this weekend with close scores of 3-2 and 2-1. The entire Division III women's poll can be found at
https://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-iii-womens-poll/.
Milestone Approaching: Carly Stefanini (Framingham, MA/Brooks School) currently has 98 career points and will look to become the ninth player in program history to reach the 100 point milestone. She seeks to become the second player to reach 100 career points this season as
Carolyn Whitney (Raleigh, NC/Millbrook School) reached the milestone three weeks ago against Alvernia. Stefanini also reached 60 career assists earlier this season against Neumann, becoming the ninth Pioneer to reach that mark as well.
Leaders of the Pack: Over the weekend against Nazareth,
Carolyn Whitney (Raleigh, NC/Millbrook School) and
Erica Sloan (Potsdam, NY/St. Lawrence Steel) led the team, each notching two points. Whitney scored a goal in each game, upping her season total to seven. The graduate student currently sits fifth across the conference in total points with 21. It is also her third straight season with at least 20 points scored.
Erica Sloan (Potsdam, NY/St. Lawrence Steel) scored a goal in Friday's game and assisted on one during Saturday's matchup. Sloan has been another steady presence for the team, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists thus far. Sitting at 142 career points, she is one point away from putting herself tied for third all-time in program history. Her goal on Friday was the 68th of her career, tying her with
Georgiana Santullo (Woburn, MA/Boston Shamrocks/Woburn High School) for third all-time in program history. She sits seven away from breaking the program record. Both graduate students will play a critical role in the team's success the rest of the year as they hope to bring home a UCHC championship.
About Chatham: The Chatham Cougars are 9-5-3 thus far, with a 7-5-2 record in conference play. After splitting last weekend's series against Lebanon Valley, Chatham dropped to seventh in the overall UCHC standings. The Cougars return their top-three point scorers from last season. These three veterans have picked up right where they left off, as they once again lead the team. Ally Nolan has scored eight goals and leads the UCHC in assists with 17 thus far. Allie Corser-James is the team's lone double digit goal scorer with 10 to go along with eight assists. Graduate Student Brooke Almond has also been an integral part of the team's success with eight goals and eight assists. Lindsey Batz has been incredible through her six starts in net, allowing only five goals and accumulating a .968 save percentage.
Series History: Through 33 matchups against Chatham, Utica has never lost a game, going 32-0-1. Last season this dominance continued as the team cruised by both games winning 5-2, and 4-0.
Up Next: The Pioneers will go on their final road trip of the season when the team travels to Arcadia University on February 9 and 10.
