GENEVA, N.Y.-The William Smith College ice hockey team scored a pair of power-play goals as they defeated Utica 2-1 in a United Collegiate Hockey Conference contest at The Cooler this afternoon. With the win, the Herons take over sole possession of second place in the UCHC standings and are 14-6-1 overall and 12-3-1 in conference play.
 
Seniors Maura Mulligan and Stephanie Hampton each had a goal and an assist to finish with a game-high two points. First-year Gaby Henry made 26 saves as she earned the victory in her collegiate debut. Ricki Haab scored for the Pioneers (14-6-1, 11-4-1). Ryann Stripp started in goal and made 33 saves.
 
William Smith opened the scoring at the 3:10 mark of the first period when Hampton one timed a shot from the right faceoff circle past Ryann Stripp for her seventh goal of the season. Junior Gina Scibetta and Mulligan were credited with assists on the goal. Scibetta forced a turnover in the offensive zone and fed the puck to Mulligan below the goal line. Mulligan sent a pass back in front to Hampton who fired the shot into the open cage. The power-play goal was Hampton's seventh goal of the season.
 
Utica tied the game at the 12:13 mark of the second period on Haab's fifth goal of the season. Acting as a screen in front of Henry, Haab redirected a Kayla Dion shot from the point into the back of the net.
 
William Smith's special teams units took over in the third period. At the 4:45 mark of the period, Katrina Cornick was whistled for tripping. The Herons power play unit went back to work, setting up shop in the offensive zone. Hampton centered a pass to Jordan Roetzer in the slot. Roetzer's shot was stopped by Stripp. Mulligan, who was standing on the right goal post, cleaned up the rebound for her fourth goal of the season.
 
The Herons closed out the period killing off three consecutive penalties. William Smith finished the game a perfect 6-for-6 on the penalty kill and 2-for-4 on the power play.
 
With six minutes remaining in regulation, Utica had a golden opportunity to tie the game when Dion was given time to fire a shot from the point. Her blast beat Henry cleanly but rang off the left goal post. The Pioneers pulled Stripp in favor of the extra attacker with two minutes remaining in regulation. Utica piled up the offensive zone time but could not get the puck on goal.  The Herons blocked five of the Pioneer's final six shots of the game.
 
William Smith finished the game with a 35-27 edge in shots on goal.
 
The Herons will be back in action next weekend, Feb. 9-10, when they welcome Buffalo State to The Cooler for a pair of non-conference contests.