UTICA, NY- The Utica College women’s hockey team suffered its first UCHC Conference loss of the season Friday afternoon as it fell to visiting Neumann University 3-1.
Despite outshooting the Knights 30-14 through two periods, Utica trailed 2-0 after 40 minutes of action. The Pioneers cut the deficit in half at 8:29 of the third period as senior Jennifer Arts (Lakeside, Ontario/London Devilettes) put in a feed from Elizabeth Dohner (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects) for her second of the year. Dohner skated the puck off the boards near the top of the zone on a mini two-on-one. After drawing the defender, she slid the puck to Arts who fired it into the open net. Junior Colby Begis (Little Elm, TX/Dallas Stars) also assisted on the play.
Neumann regained the lead at 12:30 as senior Bek Lucas netted her team-leading 11th of the year off assists from Katelyn Brown and Jackie Schneider.
Utica peppered Neumann goalie Helen Cooney, but was unable to get another past her as UC dropped to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the UCHC. The Knights meanwhile improve to 5-1-1 (3-0 UCHC). Utica goalies Amanda Lupo (Auburn, NY/Skaneateles) and Gabrielle Igo (Phoenix, AZ/Northern Cyclones) combined for 18 saves, while Cooney made 48 stops in the win.
The teams wrap up the season series Saturday afternoon. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
