ELMSFORD, NY- Sophomore Ava Suda (Cheektowaga, NY/Buffalo Bisons) netted the game-winner with 1-47 remaining in regulation as the Utica College women’s hockey team hung on for a 3-2 win over host Manhattanville College in UCHC action Saturday evening. With the win, the Pioneers secure their first sweep of the young season. This also marks the first time in program history that Utica has swept the Valiants.
The Pioneers wasted little time getting going as they opened the scoring just 1:27 into the game as freshman Carly Stefanini (Framingham, MA/Brooks School) extended her scoring streak to four games with her team-leading fifth goal of the season. Freshman Madison Novotny (Wesley Chapel, FL/Northwood School) was credited with an assist for her first collegiate point, while sophomore Carolyn Whitney (Raleigh, NC/Milbrook School) also recorded an assist.
Utica struck again at 8:56 of the first when senior Lexi Stanisewski (Lawrence, MA/Boston Shamrocks) found the back of the net for her first of the year. Whitney and freshman Alexa Carlon (Lakewood, NY/Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) picked up the helpers on the insurance tally.
The score remained the same until the third period when Manhattanville’s Morgan Miller was finally able to solve Utica goalie Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) with her first goal of the season coming at 7:33 of the final frame. It marked the first goal Hawthorne allowed in over six consecutive periods.
The Valiants evened things up with 3:11 remaining as Miller again found the back of the net to tie the score at two. Faithe Harris had the assist on the equalizer. It was short-lived however as Suda netted the winner just 24 seconds later as she finished a feed from Maggie Rylott (Cobourg, Ontario/West Northumberland) to send Utica home with the hard fought victory.
Hawthorne finished with 13 saves to improve to 3-0 on the year. Franny Gerardi meanwhile made 34 stops for Manhattanville.
The Pioneers (3-1, 2-0 UCHC) return to action next weekend with a home-and-home series against Nazareth College. Friday’s game will take place in Rochester, while the teams will faceoff in Utica on Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. both days.
