UTICA, NY - Utica University's women's hockey team hosted the program's 10th Gold Ribbon Game, dedicated to raising awareness of the fight against childhood cancer. The Pioneers faced the Worcester State University Lancers in the contest, falling by a score of 2-1. Utica struck first in the opening minutes of the second period, but two unanswered Worcester State goals propelled the Lancers to a victory. The Pioneers will now take a week off before their next game and will return to home ice at the end of the month.

Freshman Maddi Vitali (Downington, PA/) netted her second goal of the season, and Utica's only of the night. Fellow underclassmen Veronica Houk (Richboro, PA) and Maya Jerome (Belleville, MI/) each tallied assists on the score, their fifth and third of the season, respectively. First-year player Samantha Dobrzynski (Garnet Valley, PA/) had a career night at the faceoff dot, winning 20 of 27 draws. She becomes just the sixth Pioneer to reach 20 wins in a single game since tracking began in the 2015-16 season. The Pioneers outshot the visitors 35-27, led by Vitali, Jerome, and Kaci Ryder (Shrewsbury, MA/), who each finished the night with five. Alex Venning (Courtice, ON/) played between the pipes for the home squad, making 25 saves.

The Lancers tied the game with the first collegiate goal of Katarina Precobb, with Cailey Ryan scoring the game-winning goal on a third-period power play. Lea Gasper tallied a helper on both goals. Carooline Melanson also notched an assist on Ryan's game-winner. Kelsey Czerniawski manned the crease for Worcester State, saving all but one of the 35 shots she faced.

Utica jumped out early and applied pressure by outshooting the visitors 15-7 in the first period, though neither team could break the 0-0 tie. At 4:22 into the second period, the Pioneers struck first on a net-front scramble. With the man advantage, a settled Pioneer offense saw Houk send the puck towards the net from the blue line. Following some deflections near the goal, the puck fell to the stick of Vitali, who knocked the puck over the goal line.

Worcester State responded with just 2:56 left in the period. Utica was pushed back in their zone on the breakout. Gasper poked at the puck, leaving it in just the right spot for Precobb, who quickly shot from the blue line, finding the back of the net. Ryan's winning goal came exactly 9:00 into the third period on a power play possession for the visitors.

The Pioneers now have just over a week off before they return to UCHC action. On Friday, January 23rd, Utica will travel to New Haven, Connecticut, for a back-to-back road series with Albertus Magnus College. Friday night's game is scheduled for 5:00 pm at the Ralph Walker Skating Rink, with Saturday's game set for 4:00 pm. Utica next returns to the Nexus Center on the final day of January when the #5-ranked Nazareth University Golden Flyers come to town for a 3:00 pm scheduled contest.