UTICA, NY- The Utica College women’s hockey team cruised to a 4-1 victory over visiting Neumann University in ECAC West Conference action Saturday afternoon. Four different players scored to pace the Pioneers.
Senior Morgan Reed (Fort Myers, FL/Cushing Academy) led all played with three points on one goal and two assists, while Lauren Patterson (Burlington, Ontario/Oakville) and Gabrielle Schnepp (Northville, MI/Belle Tire) each had one goal and one assist. Carlie Smith (Grimsby, Ontario/St. Catharine’s Chaos), Elizabeth Dohner (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects), and Meghan Power (Windsor, Ontario/Southwest Wildcats) each finished the day with one point.
Reed got the Pioneers on the board just 5:10 into the first period as she found some room in the slot and rifled a puck past Neumann goalie Justina Mayr for her team-leading 16th goal of the year. Patterson added an assist on the play.
The Knights scored the equalizer at 13:33 as Bek Lucas netted her 11th of the year, off assists from Jackie Schneider and Megan Russelo. The Pioneers responded, however, just 14 seconds later as Smith found the back of the net for her third of the season and second of the weekend to regain the lead. Dohner and Power registered the assists on the play.
UC turned up the pressure in the second period as the Pioneers did not give up a shot on goal until 6:38 left in the period. Utica took a 3-1 lead at 7:38 as Schnepp received a breakout pass from Reed and went in on a breakaway. She was able to outwait Mayr and slid the puck into the open net for her ninth of the year. Schnepp’s tally was her second shorthanded goal of the year and the second time in as many games that UC was able to score a shorthanded goal.
The Pioneers capped the scoring at 10:19 of the final frame as Schnepp and Patterson connected on a beautiful passing play that resulted in Patterson’s eighth goal of the year. Reed also added her 15th assist of the season. Reed now has 98 career points in 100 games in the orange and blue.
Sophomore Amanda Lupo (Auburn, NY/Skaneateles) turned aside 24-of-25 shots she faced to pick up her second win of the season. Mayr made 44 saves for Neumann as the Knights dropped to 4-14-1.
Utica (13-5-1, 9-2-1 EAC West) is now just one point behind nationally ranked No. 2 Elmira College in the conference standings. UC returns to action next weekend as it travels to Chatham University on Friday and Saturday. Friday’s game will be at 5 p.m. with Saturday’s faceoff at 3 p.m.
