UTICA, NY- The Utica College women’s hockey team went 3-for-4 on the power play as it topped visiting SUNY Canton 4-1 in its season-opener Saturday evening at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Junior Gabrielle Schnepp (Northville, MI/Northville) led the way for the Pioneers as she netted two goals, both with the man-advantage, to pace UC.
Utica jumped out to a quick start as sophomore Carlie Smith (Grimsby, Ontario/St. Catharine’s Chaos) found the back of the net just 1:29 into the contest. Smith took a feed from freshman Taylor Dion (Colchester, VT/Boston Shamrocks), skated down the boards and fired a high shot that beat Canton goalie Illie Berisha.
Schnepp scored her first of the day at 7:32 as she batted in a loose puck in front of the net to give the Pioneers a two-goal lead. Janessa Haasbeek (Grand Forks, ND/Canadian International Hockey Academy) and freshman Lauren Patterson (Burlington, Ontario/Oakville) assisted on the play.
Once again, the power play unit was clicking as Schnepp tallied her second of the night at 15:29 of the opening frame to put Utica on top 3-0. Patterson and senior Morgan Reed (Fort Myers, FL/Cushing Academy) assisted on the play.
The Kangaroos were able to get one back in the second period as Kat McNeilly beat Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Hotchkiss School) for her first of the year, off an assist from Rhea Coad.
Reed capped off the scoring at 3:27 of the third period as she put in a rebound for her first of the year. Sophomore Veronique Lortie (Chambly, Quebec/Berkshire School) rifled a shot from the point that went wide; however it bounced off the end boards to Schnepp, who was waiting on the side of the net. Schnepp’s shot attempt was blocked, but the puck came right to Reed who fired into the open net.
The Utica special teams came up big as they scored three goals on the man advantage and held Canton to 0-for-5 on the power play. Junior Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Hotchkiss School) made 25 saves in net, while Berisha stopped 32 shots for the Kangaroos.
The teams return to action Sunday as they wrap up the season series. Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
