UTICA, NY- The Utica College women’s hockey team was picked to finish third in the 2016 ECAC Women’s West Preseason Coaches Poll, released Monday. UC earned 81 total votes, just eight votes behind second place Elmira College.
Three-time defending National Champion Plattsburgh State was picked to win its fifth straight conference title as it earned 99 votes, including nine first place votes. Buffalo State picked up 67 votes and was selected to finish fourth, followed by Oswego (62), Potsdam (39), Cortland (36), Chatham (32), William Smith (30) and Neumann (15).
UC is coming off arguably its best season in program history as the Pioneers finished with a 19-8-1 overall record and made it to the conference final for just the second time ever. Utica set new program records for wins and conference wins in a season (13) and it finished the year ranked tenth in both national polls.
The Pioneers will have eight regular season home games, seven of which are ECAC West Conference contests. UC will also take on local rival, Morrisville State in the 5th annual Gold Ribbon Game for childhood cancer awareness on Dec. 3.
Utica opens up home play on Sunday, Oct. 23 as it hosts the Toronto Midget Aeros for an exhibition contest (2 p.m.). UC will kick off regular season home play on Sunday Nov. 13 as it takes on ECAC West foe William Smith College.
Live stats and video for all home games are provided by the UC athletic department. To view the full 2016-2017 schedule, CLICK HERE.
2016 ECAC Women’s West Preseason Poll (First-Place Votes)
1. Plattsburgh State – 99 (9)
2. Elmira College – 89 (1)
3. Utica College – 81
4. Buffalo State – 67
5. Oswego State – 62
6. SUNY Potsdam – 39
7. SUNY Cortland – 36
8. Chatham University – 32
9. William Smith College – 30
10. Neumann University – 15
