UTICA, NY - The No. 13 Utica University women's hockey team delivered a huge 2-1 conference win against No. 15 Nazareth University on Friday evening at the Utica University Nexus Center.
 
Utica was led by Kaci Ryder (Shrewsbury, MA/Shrewsburg (Lady Flames)) who collected one goal, one assist and four faceoff wins. She is now on a three-game point streak. Ally Nolan (Westford, MA/Chatham University (NCAA DIII)) scored the Pioneers' second goal and her first goal since January 11 against Canton. Defenders Madison Novotny (Wesley Chapel, FL/Northwood School) and Tess Barrett (Tewksbury, MA/St. Mark's) recorded one assist each; Novotny also tallied three shots. Utica won 26 face-offs compared to Nazareth's 24.
 
Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) was a brick wall, making 31 saves, multiple coming in high-danger situations. She now sports a season 1.21 goals-against average and a .956 save percentage, both top 10 nationally. 
 
The Pioneers struck first 6:42 into the game as Ryder fed Nolan from behind the crease to give Utica a 1-0 lead. At the eight-minute mark, Nazareth scored on a power-play chance to tie the game a one-a-piece. Nazareth finished the period with 11 shots on goal compared to Utica's five. The Pioneers and Golden Flyers entered the second tied at one.
 
It was a hard checking second period; both teams established the offensive zone, getting pucks on the net. Nazareth went 0 for 3 on the power-play in the period, as Utica limited Nazareth's shots. Ryder notched a goal with 11:44 remaining with assists credited to Novotny and Barrett. Utica entered the third period with a 2-1 lead. 
 
Both teams went scoreless in the third period as the Pioneers went onto to win 2-1.
 
Utica (15-5-0, 6-1-0 UCHC) travels to Nazareth tomorrow for a 6 p.m. puck drop at the Tim Horton's Iceplex.