UTICA, NY- The Utica College women’s hockey team looks to rebound this weekend as it takes on Morrisville State in a home-and-home series. Morrisville will host the Pioneers on Friday at 4 p.m. before both teams travel to Utica for Saturday’s game at 2 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT: Utica dropped both games of the Panther/Cardinal Classic to nationally ranked No. 3 Middlebury and No. 4 Adrian College… The Pioneers battled valiantly against Adrian, but fell short, losing 4-3… Trailing 3-0, sophomore Danielle Haasbeek (Grand Forks, ND/Balmoral Hall) sparked the comeback with an unassisted tally… Classmate Lauren Patterson (Burlington, Ontario/Oakville) and junior Taylor Osowski (Highlands Ranch, CO/Colorado Selects) each added a goal, while four Pioneers picked up one assist each… Amanda Lupo (Auburn, NY/Skaneateles) made 21 saves in net.
UC GOES GOLD: Saturday’s contest will mark the fifth annual Gold Ribbon Game for childhood cancer awareness… The Pioneers have dedicated one game each season towards raising awareness and funds for the fight against childhood cancer… Through the first four years, UC has raised $13,000 for local families with children who are battling cancer… This year, the Pioneers have teamed up with the “Save of the Day” Foundation for the event… Both Utica and Morrisville are wearing special edition gold ribbon uniforms that are being auctioned off online prior to the event as well as in the arena the night of the game… All proceeds from the game will be donated to the family of Will Linscott, a 14 year old from Frankfort, who is currently battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
DEFENSE LEADING THE WAY: Three blue liners rank in the top five on the team in scoring… Senior Jane Pagano (Erie, PA/Tabor Academy) is tied for the team-lead with six points on three goals and three assists… Sophomore Kayla Dion (Colchester, VT/Boston Shamrocks ) has four points (one goal, three assists), while Veronique Lortie (Chambly, Quebec/Berkshire School) has three points (one goal, two assists).
DISHING IT OUT: Junior Meghan Power (Windsor, Ontario/Southwest Wildcats) and senior Gabrielle Schnepp (Northville, MI/Belle Tire) are tied for first on the team with four assists each… Power has also netted two goals on the season… With one point last weekend, Schnepp moved into fifth place on the College’s all-time scoring list… She now has 91 points (36 goals, 55 assists) in 89 career games played.
SCOUTING MORRISVILLE: The Mustangs, who are in just their second season of varsity action, are off to an impressive 9-0 start… Morrisville’s unblemished record has garnered national attention as it is currently receiving votes in both national polls… Morrisville has outscored opponents 51-4 on the season and has four players with 10 or more points so far.
FAMILIAR FACE: Behind the Morrisville bench is a familiar face to the UC women’s hockey program… Head Coach Melissa Lomanto played for the Pioneers from 2001-2005 before serving as an assistant coach for two seasons… Lomanto finished her career with 85 points (38 goals, 47 assists) in 102 games played for the Pioneers, becoming the first player in program history to play in 100 career games.
LOOKING AHEAD: UC will wrap up play for the first semester on Sunday, Dec. 11 as it travels to Division III newcomer, Lebanon Valley… Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
