UTICA, NY – The Utica College ladies’s ice hockey staff begins gearing up for its twenty fifth season because it hosts the primary of two preseason exhibitions on Saturday, October 18th. The Pioneers will renew an previous sequence from their ECAC West Convention days as they face SUNY Potsdam at 3 PM contained in the Utica College Nexus Middle. Admission stays freed from cost.
Observe Alongside: Reside video is offered at https://www.empire8network.com/utica/ or on the FREE Empire 8 Community app obtainable on collaborating cell or tv-connected platforms. Reside Stats are additionally obtainable at https://uticapioneers.com/sidearmstats/whockey/summary.
Recapping Final 12 months: The Pioneers completed final season 19-8-0 general, and 9-3-0 in UCHC play to earn the convention match’s second general seed. They appeared of their third straight convention remaining, which resulted in an additional time loss to Nazareth. The Pioneers have been notably good at dwelling from starting to finish, with a 9-3-0 general document contained in the Nexus Middle and neighboring Utica Memorial Auditorium. Dwelling success has been a key ingredient in Utica’s outcomes with a .500 or higher document on dwelling ice in every of the final 5 years. Signature wins for this system embrace a 3-2 additional time win over then-#5 Elmira within the Utica Kickoff Match, two dwelling wins towards Nazareth, and a 3-1 win over nationally-ranked Norwich College in Tampa, Florida. Departing ahead Jordan Kowalski (Chicopee, MA/Westfield), and departing netminder Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) have been chosen as AHCA East All-People. Kowalski was the UCHC Co-Participant of the 12 months, and Hawthorne completed her profession as a three-time UCHC Goaltender of the 12 months. Head Coach Melissa Lomanto was picked because the UCHC Co-Coach of the 12 months by her friends throughout the convention.
The Present Totals: Because the Pioneers strategy their twenty fifth season, they’ve achieved an general mark of 366-222-37, good for an general profitable share of 61.7 p.c. The staff has been at .500 or above for 21 out of 24 seasons. Present head coach Melissa Lomanto was round on the very starting because the staff’s first captain, and contributed to 52 wins as a participant to get this system off the bottom. She was 19-8-0 in her first season as head coach, and now eyes a sophomore marketing campaign as this system’s chief. Her predecessor, Dave Clausen, received 347 video games in 23 seasons earlier than shifting to a place teaching golf at St. Lawrence.
Mannequin of Consistency: The Pioneers have turn into a latest fixture within the UCHC finals, with three appearances within the final three seasons. The Pioneers have three twenty-win seasons within the final 4 years, and are 84-21-5 over that span.
Again For One other Go: A dozen gamers return from final yr’s roster, with senior Kaci Ryder (Shrewsbury, MA/) posting probably the most prolific output final yr. Ryder, a second staff all-conference decide, had 20 factors on seven targets and 13 assists, and had the game-winning objective in each of Utica’s dwelling wins over Nazareth final season. Kendall Best (Troy, MI/) ought to shine as a sophomore after logging 17 factors and a +19 ranking as a rookie, which earned All-Rookie Crew honors within the convention. With three targets and 13 assists final yr, Tess Barrett (Tewksbury, MA/St. Mark’s) is the highest returning point-earner from the protection place for Utica. Kelsey Elliott’s (Attleboro, MA/) manufacturing has slowly grown annually and that growth of function ought to proceed in 25-26 as she enters her senior marketing campaign. Sophomore defender Maya Jerome (Belleville, MI/) can also be again within the fold after amassing UCHC All-Rookie honors a season in the past. Different returners embrace Abby Cangemi (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy), Madison Wagner (Saukville, WI/Divine Savior Holy Angels), Angelina Garganese (Winter Springs, Fl/), Alex Cenning, Madison Richman (Scituate, MA/), Elliana Lasher (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), and Sophia Jimenez (Wilmette, IL/).
Completely happy Trails: Utica noticed the departure of considered one of its most prolific senior lessons in historical past, which included some 5 yr gamers that received 90 video games over that span, and collectively, the four-year and five-year seniors led Utica to a few straight convention title video games. A trio of switch contributors shall be among the many most important losses, with first staff All-Convention honorees Allison Mish, Riley Calhoun (New Hartford, NY/Plattsburgh State College (NCAA DIII)), and Jordan Kowalski (Chicopee, MA/Westfield), the convention Co-Participant of the 12 months, departing. 5 yr starter Angela Hawthorne (Santa Clara, CA/Meijer) departed this system as probably the most adorned goaltender in program historical past, as a three-time goaltender of the yr and a five-time all-conference or all-rookie decide. Hawthorne had 21 profession shutouts, was the winningest goaltender in class historical past by variety of victories, and had the most effective save share and targets towards common of anybody to play 900 minutes or make 300 saves of their profession. Second staff all-conference defender Madison Novotny (Wesley Chapel, FL/Northwood Faculty) departs as this system’s most offensively productive defender in historical past, with 69 profession factors and 53 profession assists. Like Hawthorne, she is a 5 time all-conference or all-rookie choice within the convention. Carly Stefanini’s (Framingham, MA/Brooks Faculty) 130 profession factors, and Hailey Modlin’s (Phoenix, AZ/Boston Shamrocks) 90 profession factors will even be missed, with each totals rating within the prime ten in program historical past. For what it’s price, Modlin and Novotny share the profession video games performed document at Utica now, with 123 apiece, and Stefanini sits two video games again of that at 121. Chatham switch Ally Nolan (Westford, MA/Chatham College (NCAA DIII)) gave Utica an important marketing campaign within the remaining yr of her profession with 19 factors. Molly Pedone (Trinity, FL/Shattuck-St. Mary’s) rallied by way of an injury-riddled yr to offer Utica some enormous targets on the finish of the season. Sydney Mintz (Kelowna, BC/Okanagan Hockey Academy), Jordan Hancock (Albuquerque, NM/Belle Tire), Cameran Evans (Emsworth, PA/Pittsburgh Penguins Elite), Abbey Lendzyk (Carver, MN/Woodbury (Minnesota Ice Cougars)), Sophia Capone (Cumberland, RI/Portsmouth Abbey Faculty), Faithe Harris (West Kelowna, BC/Manhattanville School (NCAA DIII)), Cordie Wemyss (Pittsburgh, PA/Pittsburgh Pens Elite), Emma Corbett (Rochester, NY/Adrian School (NCAA DIII)), and Lauryn Brown (Eden, NY/Syracuse Valley Eagles) additionally don’t return.
By the Numbers: The Pioneers sported the nation’s third-ranked scoring offense final yr with 4.40 targets per sport. That was aided by a 24 p.c energy play unit, which ranked seventh nationally final season, however is now lacking a few of its most necessary elements, similar to Carly Stefanini (Framingham, MA/Brooks Faculty). Stefanini’s internet entrance presence was a contributing issue to scoring 20 energy play targets in her profession, which sits only one off this system document. On protection, the Pioneers ranked sixth nationally at 1.07 targets per sport, and the penalty kill unit was eleventh at 93.9 p.c.
A Household Affair: Assistant coach Lora Ardoin departed for a head coach alternative with Roger Williams College, and the Pioneers will proceed a household custom together with her substitute. Rachel Corbett simply completed her faculty profession at Oswego, the place she helped spearhead a program renaissance beneath Mark Digby in recent times. She would be the third member of her quick household to be a part of the Pioneers’ program. Twin sister Emma simply wrapped up her profession in Blue and Orange after transferring from Adrian, and older sister Katie was the Director of Hockey Operations at Utica as an undergraduate.
The World Sport: This yr’s Pioneers roster options gamers from 4 nations. As is customary, the vast majority of the roster is from the US and Canada, however the roster will even welcome two newcomers from Europe this season. Norwegian defender Nora Pollestad (Stavanger, Norway/) indicators on as a switch from Castleton, the place she had six factors throughout two years. She has suited up in IIHF World Championship competitors on the 18U degree for Norway. British defender Chloe Needham-Potts (London, United Kingdom/) joins the fold after skating for the Lawrenceville Faculty and East Coast Valkyries. She additionally has worldwide expertise on the IIHF World Championship scene, enjoying for Nice Britain in a complete of 4 World Championships. She has a complete of 20 World Championship caps on the 18u and Senior ranges.
Who Else Is New: Past the 2 European newcomers, the Pioneers additionally welcome 13 extra new faces. By means of switch, two skaters enter this system from perennial nationwide contenders. Ahead Olivia Marcinkowski (Peabody, MA/) joins the squad after two seasons enjoying for Adrian School, the place she appeared in sixteen video games. Grace Joscelyn (Loudon, NH/) performed in 40 video games throughout two years for the Norwich College Cadets, contributing a objective and 6 assists throughout her time in Northfield, Vermont. Eleven others are freshmen. The ahead group consists of Camryn Behonick (Vestal, NY/), a Binghamton-area product. She enters from the Rome Ladies’ Hockey group, persevering with an important native pipeline to this system. Dylan DiGrazia (Scottsdale, AZ/) was a staff captain final season with the Arizona Kachinas, and can reunite with former teammate Brooklyn Higgins (Gilbert, AZ/) from that group. Higgins had 23 factors in 68 video games final yr for Lovell Academy in her remaining pre-collegiate marketing campaign on a squad laden with Division I gamers. Maddi Vitali (Downington, PA/) spent the previous yr with the JWHL Junior Flyers, and reunites with teammate Samantha Dobrzynski (Garnet Valley, PA/) at Utica. Dobrzynski had 7 factors in 21 JWHL video games final yr. Skylar MacLean (Port Hood, Nova Scotia/), a Nova Scotia product, was 51st in complete factors amongst JWHL skaters final yr with ten factors throughout 24 appearances, and likewise tore up the Canadian Scholastic Ranks with the fifteenth-highest level complete at that degree. Cate Hart (Norfolk, MA/Proctor Academy) rounds out the newcomer ahead group out of Proctor Academy. On protection, two different rookie defenders are within the combine alongside Needham-Potts. Veronica Houk (Richboro, PA/) joins after a multi-year profession with Newark Ironbound, the place she had 31 factors throughout her two most up-to-date seasons. Molly Rybarczyk (Toledo, OH) will shore up the blue line as a graduate of one of many nation’s elite AAA packages – Little Ceasars. In internet, two newcomers are within the hunt to assert the beginning job towards returner Alex Venning (Courtice, ON/). Isabella Boehm (Framingham, MA/) had an eye-popping 96 p.c save share at Lovell Academy final yr whereas profitable 24 video games, and beforehand performed beneath Trevor Gilligan at Northwood Faculty in Lake Placid. Katie Sheahan’s growth path was additionally a robust one as she spent two years with the North American Hockey Academy, and beforehand was with Crew Illinois.
About Potsdam: The Bears have been 6-13-4 final season, and 2-12-4 towards SUNYAC competitors. A season in the past, they have been led by graduate scholar Rebecca Holmes (6-6-12). Rebecca Cain (3-7-10) and Jalynn Castro (6-3-9) are the highest returning scorers for the Bears. In internet, Magalie Mum or dad additionally returns on the heels of a season the place she posted a .942 save share throughout twelve appearances. Utica is 11-2-5 towards the Bears all-time, and has received the final 4 conferences, however the two sides haven’t performed a daily season sport in nearly a decade now.
What’s Subsequent: An previous convention matchup will get re-ignited to wrap up Utica’s exhibition schedule because the Pioneers battle the William Smith Herons on Friday, October twenty fourth. Puck drop is about for 7 PM.
