UTICA, N.Y.- The William Smith College ice hockey team dropped a tough ECAC West contest 2-0 to Utica this afternoon. The Pioneers scored twice in the third period to collect the win in the conference opener for both teams.

Through the first 40 minutes of the game, the goaltenders stole the show. Sophomore Maggie Salmon stopped 17 shots in the Herons goal, while Utica goalie Keira Goin made 13 stops.

Utica (3-0-0, 1-0-0) scored the game's first goal at 13:23 of the third period. Lauren Patterson snuck the puck inbetween the post and Salmon's leg on a wrap around. Morgan Reed and Gabrielle Schnepp were credited with assists on the goal. The Pioneers iced the game with a goal at 19:59 of the third period. Emily Coope fired home a slap shot from the slot. Patterson and Schnepp were credited with assists on the power play goal.

The Herons (2-1-0, 0-1-0) had their scoring opportunities. In the closing minutes of the first period, the Herons fired five shots on goal but were unable to solve Goin and find the back of the net. Sophomore Grace Durham had a team-high five shots.

Salmon stopped 29 of 31 shots she faced in 58:23 of action.  In the closing minutes, William Smith pulled Salmon to gain an extra attacker. Goin finished with 17 saves in the shutout.
William Smith did not convert on its three power play opportunities, while Utica went 1-2 with the extra skater.

The Herons and Pioneers will be back on the ice tomorrow, Nov. 8, when they complete the second half of the home-and-home series. Faceoff at the Cooler is scheduled for 4 p.m.