CANTON, NY - The No. 12 Utica University women's hockey team defeated the SUNY Canton Kangaroos 2-1 on Saturday evening in non-conference play. 
 
Five different players registered at least one point: Jordan Hancock (Albuquerque, NM/Belle Tire) (1g, 0a), Ally Nolan (Westford, MA/Chatham University (NCAA DIII)) (1g, 0a), Madison Novotny (Wesley Chapel, FL/Northwood School) (0g, 1a), Jordan Kowalski (Chicopee, MA/Plattsburgh State (NCAA DIII)) (0g, 1a) and Carly Stefanini (Framingham, MA/Brooks School) (0g, 1a). Hancock now has three goals in two consecutive games. The Pioneers won the faceoff battle, winning 30 compared to Canton's 25. 
 
Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) played in her 90th career game and is 57 saves away from being the all-time program leader. Hawthorne collected 27 saves on the afternoon, making eight in the first, six in the second and 13 in the third. 
 
The Pioneers opened the first period with four shots in four minutes compared to Canton's one. With just under 13 minutes to play, Utica killed a power play that allowed zero shots. The Pioneers did an excellent job pressuring the puck and clearing it at a high percentage. Canton's offense's best opportunity came eight minutes remaining as Hawthorne made a beautiful save on Anna Pavlasova.
 
Utica did a great job defensively the whole first period, not allowing many high-danger opportunities. With just under a minute to play, Nolan found Kowalski on a great scoring chance but could not connect as both teams would head into the second period tied at zero and with eight shots a piece. 
 
Utica opened the second period with three great chances on a power play as Canton was penalized for tripping. With 15:48 remaining and with 10 seconds left on the power-play, Hancock notched a goal to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead on a great individual effort. The Pioneers scored nearly three minutes later off the rush as Nolan tallied a goal, giving Utica a 2-0 advantage with just under 13 minutes left. Through 15 minutes of play, Utica's defense held Canton to five shots compared to the Pioneer's 16. Utica entered the third period with a 2-0 lead.
 
Canton scored first in the third period as Kylah Small shot the puck down the left side and scored, making it a 2-1 game with 13:05 remaining. Utica killed a penalty late in the period, as Canton had plenty of chances to tie the game at two. During the kill, Hawthorne made three saves, denying all of the Kangaroo's opportunities. The Pioneers held to win their second consecutive game, 2-1. 
 
Utica (11-4-0, 3-1-0 UCHC) travels to Worcester, MA, for a mid-week game against Worcester State University on Thursday, January 16 at 6:30 p.m.