UTICA, NY - The UCHC and Empire 8 have announced their All-Conference selections for the 2025-26 women's hockey season, with three Pioneers being named among honorees. From the UCHC, first-year center Samantha Dobrzynski (Garnet Valley, PA/) was named to the conference's All-Rookie Team. From the Empire 8, the Pioneers received Second Team recognition for both senior captain Kelsey Elliott (Attleboro, MA/) and sophomore defender Maya Jerome (Belleville, MI/). Elliott was additionally named to the E8's Tomorrow's Leaders Team, recognizing excellence both on and off the ice. The Pioneers finished their 2025-26 season 10-16-1 overall, concluding with a 2-1 Semifinal Round defeat in the UCHC Tournament by #2-seeded Elmira College.

Dobrzynski jumped off to a hot start to her collegiate career, earning UCHC All-Rookie Team Honors after leading the Pioneers in points in her first season at the level. The first-year center netted five goals and assisted on 10 to reach 15 total points. In addition to Dobrzynski, only one additional Pioneer scored five goals or reached 10 assists on the season. Of Utica's 1,471 total faceoff draws, Dobrzynski was called upon most often, taking 551 total draws (37.46% of the team's total), the second most in team history. She turned in 309 faceoff wins (a 56.08% win rate) across these opportunities, ranking fourth all-time for the Pioneers and setting a freshman record. In addition, she shattered the program's blocked shots record, getting in front of 39 opponent shot attempts, 11 more than the previously standing record.

Elliott, a senior captain, earned Empire 8 Second Team honors following a 14-point campaign in 2025-26, the second most among the Pioneers. Elliott joined Dobrzynski as just the second player to tally five goals, adding nine assists. She (+1) was the leading scorer among the eight players with a positive plus/minus, and one of just two of them to reach five or more points. The four-season Pioneer, who crossed 100 games played in the postseason, now earns her first honorary recognition from either conference as she concludes her career in the orange and blue. In addition to her Second Team selection, Elliott was named Utica's representative on the E8 Tomorrow's Leaders Team, an honor recognizing one student-athlete from each institution who has emerged as a leader not only on the field of play, but also in the classroom and the community while competing with honor and integrity.

Jerome, a member of the E8 Second Team, proved to be a consistent weapon in Utica's offense. From the blue line, the sophomore led the team with 115 shots on goal, nearly double the two-way tie between Elliott and a fellow senior forward with 66. The 115 attempts rank eighth all-time, and 13 more than any other season by a defender. In addition, she put 32 shots on target during the power play, just one short of the current record and the most seen since the 2022-23 season. In total, Jerome netted four goals and added a helper on another seven. Her 11 total points ranked fifth on the team, and she was one of just six Pioneers to reach double-digit points.

Utica women's hockey concluded its season in the Semifinal Round of the UCHC Championship Tournament. After a 1-0 win in the First Round, the Elmira Soaring Eagles took down the Pioneers 2-1 to wrap up the 2025-26 season. Be sure to stay tuned to uticapioneers.com and follow Utica Athletics on social media for information on the 2026-27 season as it approaches.