UTICA, NY- Five different players scored as the Utica College women’s hockey team picked up a 6-2 win in its exhibition game against the Toronto Aeros Sunday afternoon at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Senior Gabrielle Schnepp (Northville, MI/Belle Tire) led the way for UC with two goals.
Utica jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period off goals from sophomore Kaitlin Parent (Myersville, MD/Middletown) and senior Tori Pelton. Just under three minutes into the opening period, Parent fired in a loose puck in front for her first goal as a Pioneer. Kelly Critzer (West Salem, OH/Ohio Flames) and Colby Begis (Little Elm, TX/Dallas Stars) assisted on the play. Then, at 9:33 Pelton put in her own rebound after a shot from the point to give UC the two-goal cushion. Kayla Dion (Colchester, VT/Boston Shamrocks ) and Emily Coope (Phoenix, AZ/Colorado Tigers) tallied assists on Pelton’s first of the season.
The Aeros got off to a quick start in the second period, as Avery Horlock jammed a puck through freshman Briah Reilly (Hamden, CT/Brewster Academy) to bring Toronto within one just over a minute in.
Schnepp responded at 6:03 with her first of the day on a nice passing play deep in the Toronto zone. Sophomores Lauren Patterson (Burlington, Ontario/Oakville) and Elizabeth Dohner (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects) stole the puck from the Toronto defender behind the net, Dohner circle the back of the cage and fed a wide open Schnepp in front for the easy tap in. The Aeros once again brought the game within one as Horlock connected with Shannon Hollands on a 2-on-1 to cut the UC lead to 3-2.
Utica wore the Aeros down in the third period as the Pioneers were able to tack on three more tallies. Schnepp scored her second of the game, assisted by Meghan Power (Windsor, Ontario/Southwest Wildcats), while Patterson netted a goal of her own with just over three minutes remaining. Freshman Olivia Hirschy (Fort Wayne, IN/Culver Academies) made an instant impact for Utica as she netted her first collegiate goal with less than a minute remaining to seal the victory. Hirschy also added one assist on the day, while Danielle Haasbeek (Grand Forks, ND/Balmoral Hall) and Veronique Lortie (Chambly, Quebec/Berkshire School) also picked up helpers.
Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Hotchkiss School), Briah Reilly (Hamden, CT/Brewster Academy) and Amando Lupo combined for 31 saves in the win. The Utica special teams were impressive as the Pioneers went 2-for-3 on the power play, while holding Toronto scoreless on three chances with the man advantage.
UC officially opens its season on the road on Nov. 1 at Lebanon Valley. The Pioneers will return home on Sunday, Nov. 13 as they take on ECAC West foe, William Smith in their home-opener.
