HERSHEY, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley women's ice hockey team had another strong performance on Saturday afternoon against ninth-ranked Utica University but ultimately dropped a 4-1 decision to the Pioneers at Hersheypark Arena.
 
Utica (4-0-0, 2-0-0 UCHC) scored all four of their goals during a seven-minute stretch spanning the second and third period with all four being power-play goals. The teams battled back-and-forth during a scoreless first period of play with the Pioneers holding a slim 11-8 shot advantage. Lebanon Valley (1-3-0, 0-2-0 UCHC) had great shots by Katei Pounder, Chelly Wolff, Erin Yorke, Anna Dale, and Madelynn Debelis saved by Angela Hawthorne in goal over the first 10 minutes. The Dutchmen had two power-play opportunities during the period but were unable to score with three shots put on goal during the penalties.
 
The Pioneers came out as the aggressors to start the second period with four shots in the first 75 seconds. The Dutchmen stood tall and blocked four of the first eight shots of the period. LVC took the lead for the second straight night against Utica at 4:40 as Spiers knocked in the puck during a scramble in front of the goal. Cheyenne Wilk and Maeghan Howson were the last two Dutchmen to touch the puck prior to Spiers knocking it in and were awarded assists on the play. LVC hung onto the lead until late in the period after being called for a five-minute major penalty. The Pioneers were able to score at 19:09 to tie the game going into the second intermission.
 
Utica added two more goals in the first 2:26 of the third period as LVC remained on the penalty kill. The Pioneers added a fourth power-play goal at 5:55 to take a 4-1 lead. The Dutchmen had a pair of shots by Pounder and Dale stopped before Victoria Scurto and Pounder had back-to-back shots saved by Hawthorne. The Dutchmen defense was able to keep the Pioneers off the scoreboard the rest of the way but unfortunately the offense was unable to score.
 
Inside the Box

• Spiers scored her seventh career goal.
• Wilk recorded her ninth career assist and first point of the season.
• Howson recorded her first career point with an assist.
• Mia Frisoni had another excellent game in net recording 50 saves including 26 in the third period.
• Pounder led the team with five shots.
• LVC blocked 21 shots led by Oukes with four and Dale with three. 

Up Next
The Dutchmen will be on the road for the first time this season as they begin MAC play with a home-and-home series against Stevenson University next weekend. LVC will head down to Maryland for a 3 p.m. start on Friday before hosting the Mustangs on Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m.

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