MIDDLEBURY, VT- The Utica College women’s hockey team scored three of the game’s final four goals, but it was not enough as the Pioneers fell to nationally ranked No. 3 Adrian College 4-3 in non-conference action Sunday afternoon at the Panther/Cardinal Classic.
Adrian jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period as Kelly O’Sullivan netted a pair of power play goals. The Bulldogs took a three-goal lead halfway through the second period as Rylee Bates netted her first of the year, assisted by Kristin Lewicki and Kristi Zink.
The Pioneers got on the board at 13:29 as sophomore Danielle Haasbeek (Grand Forks, ND/Balmoral Hall) picked up a turnover in the neutral zone and skated into the Bulldog end. Haasbeek threw a high shot on net that went over the shoulder of Adrian goalie Jade Walsh and in for her first of the year.
Utica came within one at 18:27 of the second as sophomore Lauren Patterson (Burlington, Ontario/Oakville) netted her first of the year on a power play. Senior Gabrielle Schnepp (Northville, MI/Belle Tire) kicked a rebound towards the front of the net, where Patterson hit it into the open cage. Junior Meghan Power (Windsor, Ontario/Southwest Wildcats) also assisted on the play.
Adrian regained the two-goal cushion at 1:59 of the third as Lewicki took a centering feed and roofed it over Amanda Lupo (Auburn, NY/Skaneateles) for her ninth of the season. Utica did not quit as the Pioneers once again came within one, this time off the stick of junior Taylor Osowski (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects). Osowski was battling in the slot and put in a rebound off a point shot from Haasbeek for her second tally of the year. Sophomore Kendra Mac (Cedar, MI/Lawrence Academy ) was also credited with an assist on the tally, for her first collegiate point.
Walsh finished with 19 saves for Adrian, while Lupo had 21 saves in the loss for Utica. The Pioneers look to bounce back next weekend as they host Morrisville State in a home-and-home series. Both teams will face off in Morrisville at 4 p.m. on Friday to kick off the weekend.
