Utica, NY (11/3/14)- The Utica College women’s hockey team was picked to finish fourth in the Conference in the 2014-15 ECAC West Coaches Poll, last week.
The Pioneers picked up 74 votes, just one shy of third place, Oswego State. Defending National Champion, Plattsburgh State was selected to repeat as conference champions as they picked up 99 points and nine first place votes. Elmira was selected to finish second with 92 points and two first place votes. Potsdam came in behind Utica with 52 points, followed by Buffalo State (48), Neumann (31), Cortland and Chatham tied for eighth with 30 points each, and ECAC West newcomer, William Smith rounded out the poll with 20 points.
UC wrapped up the 2013-14 campaign with its most successful season in six years as it finished 17-9-1 overall. The Pioneers made their 12th ECAC West tournament appearance in program history, before being knocked out in the semifinals by eventual conference and National Champion, Plattsburgh State. Utica finished the year in the receiving votes category in the final D3hockey.com National Rankings. The Pioneers remained just outside the top-ten as they received two votes, two behind St. Norbert and eight behind tenth-ranked Oswego State.
Utica welcomes back 16 players from last year’s squad including captains Nikki Kieffer (Rome, NY/Lysander Lightning), Nicole Schwartz (Danville, CA/San Jose Sharks), and Kelsey Dowdall(Smiths Falls, ONT/Nepean). ECAC All-Rookie selection Gabrielle Schnepp (Northville, MI/Belle Tire) is back after her stellar freshman campaign that saw her finish second on the team in scoring with 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists). Seniors Marissa McNamara (Camillus, NY/Lysander Lightning), Louise Steele-Norton (Avondale, PA/Millbrook School), Samantha Pucci (Pearl River, NY/Connecticut Polar Bears), and Madison Christoff(Danville, CA/San Jose Sharks) will also provide veteran leadership for the team.
The Pioneers open regular season play Nov. 8 and 9 with a home-and-home series against ECAC West newcomer, William Smith College. UC will travel to Geneva, NY on Saturday, Nov. 8 for a 4 p.m. game. Both teams will then travel to Utica for a 3 p.m. face off on Sunday, Nov. 9.
