UTICA, NY (2/6/15) – The Utica College women’s hockey team picked up a 2-0 victory against visiting Chatham University in ECAC Women’s West Conference action on Friday night.
Utica got on the board first early in the first period when senior defender Samantha Pucci (Pearl River, NY/Connecticut Polar Bears) netted her second goal of the season to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead 4:49 into the contest. Senior classmates Kelsey Dowdall (Smiths Falls, ONT/Nepean) and Nicole Schwartz (Danville, CA/San Jose Sharks) were each credited with an assist on the Pioneer goal.
The Pioneers got an insurance goal midway through the third period as freshman Kelly Critzer (West Salem, OH/Ohio Flames) found the back of the net for her first career goal. Emily Coope (Phoenix, AZ/Colorado Tigers) and Victoria Pelton (Sterling Heights, MI/Belle Tire) assisted on the play.
Sophomore goalie Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Hotchkiss School) stopped 20 shots in her fifth win and second shutout of the season, while Megan Buchanan posted 18 saves in net for the Cougars. Utica moves its record to 10-0-1 against Chatham in the last five years. The Pioneers snapped a four game winless streak and improved to 7-8-4 and 5-5-3 in the conference.
The Pioneers and the Cougars turn right back around on Saturday to complete the season series at the Aud at 2 p.m. The contest will also be senior day for the Pioneers as they celebrate the careers of nine Pioneers prior to the contest.
