UTICA, NY- The nationally ranked No. 8/10 Utica College women’s hockey team fell to visiting Buffalo State, 2-1, in ECAC West Conference action Saturday afternoon at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The Bengals are now just one point behind the Pioneers for third place in the conference standings.
After a scoreless first period, the Bengals broke the deadlock at 9:05 as Brooke Krantz put in a bouncing puck in front for her fifth of the season. Missy Mallon and Christine Harris assisted on the play. Buff State extended the lead with just under two minutes remaining in the second stanza as Rachel Lenard jumped on a loose puck in the defensive zone and went in on a breakaway. Lenard fired a high shot over the glove of Utica goalie Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Hotchkiss School) for her fifth of the season.
The Pioneers came within one with just 2:32 remaining in regulation as senior Morgan Reed (Fort Myers, FL/Cushing Academy) took a pass from Gabrielle Schnepp (Northville, MI/Belle Tire) and punched in a rebound for her team-leading 20th goal of the year. Freshman Danielle Haasbeek (Grand Forks, ND/Balmoral Hall) also assisted on the play. With the assist, Schnepp became the first player in the last four years to record 40 points in a season. It was too little too late, however, as the Bengals, led by Justine Silva, were able to hold off the Pioneer attack to improve to 18-6 on the year.
Silva finished with 24 saves, while Goin turned aside 17 shots as she fell to 13-6-1 on the year. Utica drops to 16-7-1 on the season and 12-4-1 in the conference. UC will look to bounce back Sunday as it wraps up the regular season. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
