ASTON, Pa. - The Neumann University women's ice hockey team returned to United College Hockey Conference (UCHC) action on Friday evening with a 3-2 loss on home-ice to visiting Utica College.
 
Jackie Schneider led the Neumann attack on the evening with a goal and an assist, while Claudia Trionfo also scored for the Knights. Helen Cooney was excellent in goal, making 37 saves in the loss and also picking up an assist of her own.
 
Neumann faced another tough conference test in Utica, who entered the contest with an unblemished 6-0 record to open the season. The Pioneers showed why they are unbeaten in a strong first period showing, outshooting the Knights by a count of 12-3 while taking the play to the hosts. Neumann had the best early chance as Angeline Taiariol snapped a puck off the crossbar just minutes into the period, but it was all Utica from there. The Pioneers played much of the period in the Knights end and scored at the 7:56 mark of the frame to take a 1-0 lead into intermission.
 
Despite the early deficit, the Knights came to life in a terrific second period. A strong start to the stanza was rewarded with a game-tying goal from Schneider just 2:44 after the break. A long outlet pass from Cooney was tipped into the zone by Jordyn Cholish to a streaking Schneider, who ripped the puck off the post and in to even the contest at one apiece.
 
The Pioneers responded with a goal six minutes later to retake the lead at 2-1, but Neumann again fought back with some inspired play the remainder of the period. This time Schneider played the role of play-maker, finding a wide open Trionfo cutting towards the Pioneer net at the 11:07 mark. The sophomore forward then one-timed the pass into the gaping net to again level the contest at 2-2 and set up an exciting finish. Neither team could find the back of the net in the rest of the second and the game would head to the third period still tied.
 
The Knights continued to play well in the final frame, generating two power plays in the opening ten minutes of the period. Unfortunately, Neumann could not tally with the extra man and the game remained tied into the final ten minutes of play. With just 8:15 left to go in the game, the tie was finally broken. Utica scored on a counter rush to take a 3-2 lead that it would not relinquish. The Knights fought valiantly to get the game tied, but came up just short as the Pioneers skated away with the narrow 3-2 victory.
 
Neumann (1-5-0, 0-3-0 UCHC) is right back in action tomorrow with its second game of the weekend versus Utica. Puck-drop is slated for 2:00 PM.