UTICA, NY – The Utica College women’s hockey team defeated visiting Cortland State 5-0 in the ECAC Women’s West Tournament quarterfinals at the Utica Memorial Auditorium Thursday evening. The Pioneers now advance to the semifinals next weekend where they will take on second seeded Elmira College at Plattsburgh State. Game time and exact date is currently to be determined.
The Pioneers have now tied the program-record for wins in a single season as they moved their overall record to 18-7-1 on the year. Cortland’s season comes to a close with a record of 11-13-1 overall.
After a scoreless first period of play the Pioneers broke out with two goals in the first minute of the period from the sticks of senior Morgan Reed (Fort Myers, FL/Cushing Academy) and sophomore Carlie Smith (Grimsby, Ontario/St. Catharine’s Chaos). Reed’s rebound goal was her team-best 21st of the season and came just 30 seconds into the period. ECAC West Rookie of the Year Lauren Patterson (Burlington, Ontario/Oakville) was credited with an assist, along with senior captain Janessa Haasbeek (Grand Forks, ND/Canadian International Hockey Academy). Smith’s goal came just 22 seconds later off assists from Meghan Power (Windsor, Ontario/Southwest Wildcats) and Elizabeth Dohner (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects).
The Pioneers took a commanding 3-0 lead with 4:28 left in the second period when Emily Coope (Phoenix, AZ/Colorado Tigers) wristed home her sixth goal of the season, directly off the face-off which was won by Taylor Osowski (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects).
The Pioneers took a 4-0 lead 7:04 into the third and final period when Victoria Pelton (Sterling Heights, MI/Belle Tire) netted her third goal of the season. Sophomore Samantha Husak (Jackson, MI/Grass Lake) set up the goal as she took the puck the length of the ice and found Pelton in the slot for the tally.
Lauren Patterson (Burlington, Ontario/Oakville) registered her 12th of the year with just 28 seconds remaining in the game as she gathered a puck off the end boards and snuck it inside the near post to cap off the scoring. Husak and Reed each assisted on the play. With two points on the day, Patterson passed All-American Megan Myers ’14 for second on the College’s all-time scoring list for freshmen.
Junior Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Hotchkiss School) was rock solid in net as she stopped all 28 shots she faced to extend her single-season shutout record to seven. Her counterpart, Deanna Meunier made 33 saves in the loss. Goin now moves up to fourth in the country with a .950 save percentage and she ranks eighth nationally with a 1.35 goals against average.
Utica went 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Red Dragons were held scoreless on two opportunities with the man advantage.
