Utica, N.Y. (Dec. 2, 2022) - Alvernia University (4-3-2, 3-2) dropped the first game of the weekend series with #14 Utica University (7-1-1, 6-0-1) 3-1, in UCHC women's ice hockey action Friday afternoon at Utica. 

Alvernia goalie Julian Beaven tallied six saves in the first ten minutes of the first period and Abby Reisinger fired a shot that was saved. 

Utica opened the scoring with nine minutes left in the first period when Cortney Staniszewski found the back of the net thanks to assists from Ava Suda and Hannah Keating to give Utica a 1-0 lead. 

The Pioneers netted another goal two minutes later when Carly Stefanini scored a solo goal to give Utica a 2-0 lead with under eight minutes left in the period. 

Alvernia's Sydney Bradley and Lexi Hooper both tallied shots at the end of the first period but Utica's Angela Hawthorne saved both to keep the Pioneers in the lead heading into the first intermission. 

Just under five minutes into the second period the Golden Wolves pulled one back when Reisinger fired a shot that was saved, she collected the rebound and fired a shot that found the back of the net to cut the deficit to 2-1 Utica. 

Amber Steinhilpert, Laila Tosi and Hooper all tallied shots in the last 15 minutes of the second period but all were saved by Hawthorne as the game went into the final intermission with Utica holding onto a 2-1 lead. 

The Golden Wolves fired six shots on target in the first ten minutes of the period with Reisinger, Bradley and Alex Robertson firing shots that were saved. Kathryn Palmer tallied two shots that were saved and Tosi added another. 

Just under 13 minutes into the third period, Utica extended its lead to 3-1 when Stefanini and Erica Sloan assisted Tess Barrett who found the back of the net. 

Alvernia tallied seven shots in the final six minutes but could not find the back of the net as Utica secured the 3-1 victory. 

Beaven tallied 27 saves in net for the Golden Wolves. 

Alvernia was led by Reisinger with the goal, Bradley led the Golden Wolves in shots on goal with four and Palmer and Reisinger both tallied three shots on goal. 

The Golden Wolves are back in action tomorrow afternoon as they wrap up the weekend series with Utica at 2:30 PM.