UTICA, NY- The Utica College women’s hockey team dropped a heartbreaker Sunday afternoon as it fell to nationally ranked No. 2/3 Elmira College 2-1 in ECAC West Conference action.
After a scoreless first period, sophomore Taylor Osowski (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects) broke the deadlock as she put in a rebound from an Emily Coope (Phoenix, AZ/Colorado Tigers) shot to put the Pioneers up 1-0. Junior Victoria Pelton (Sterling Heights, MI/Belle Tire) also assisted on the play.
The Soaring Eagles spoiled Utica’s shutout hopes with just over five minutes remaining in the game as Meghan Fonfara found the back of the net for her sixth of the year. Kristin Chivers and Louisa Lippiatt Durnell assisted on Fonfara’s power play tally. Then, with just 1:04 remaining in regulation, Fonfara put in a rebound on the doorstep to lift Elmira to its fifth straight victory. Lippiatt Durnall and Maddy Jerolman assisted on the game-winner.
Junior Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Hotchkiss School) had 23 saves in net for UC, while her counterpart, Kyle Nelson stopped 18-of-19 shots for her second win of the season. Elmira was 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Pioneers were 1-for-6 with the man advantage.
The Pioneers drop to 5-2-1 (3-2-1 ECAC West), while Elmira improves to 5-1 (4-0 ECAC West). UC returns to action on Tuesday as it hosts Morrisville State. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
