PITTSBURGH, PA - Utica University's women's hockey team traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to take on Chatham University in the squad's final two-game set of the regular season. At the Alpha Ice Complex, the Pioneers took the game by a score of 2-0 for their second consecutive shutout. Two second-period goals provided the cushion needed for Utica to win with a 46-18 shot differential. The teams will rematch tomorrow in both of the squads' final regular season games.

The orange and blue's goal scoring was split between a group of freshmen and a group of sophomores. Freshman Brooklyn Higgins opened the scoring, off an assist by fellow freshman Veronica Houk. Utica's second goal was netted by Elliana Lasher, and assisted on by Kendall Best and Maya Jerome, all of whom are sophomores. First-year goalie Katie Sheahan pulled the start in net again, making 18 saves for her second-straight shutout, and third of the season.

On a scoreless evening for Chatham, no player tallied more than two shots on goal. Several players played crucial defensive roles as Abby Cunkelman (six), Avelyn Higgins (four), Clarissa Hayes (three), and Ella Stearns-Sheffer (three) led the team in blocked shots. Fellow freshman goalie Morgan Miller appeared in the crease for the Cougars, saving 44 of the 46 shots she was tasked with.

Just 2:15 into the second period, Higgins netted the go-ahead goal for the visitors. The goal, on the fifth shot of the period, stood to be the game-winner, giving Higgins her second game-winning goal of the season, becoming just the second Pioneer to do so. Houk added her eighth assist of the season, the most among Utica defenders. 5:33 later, Lasher netted a power-play goal to give the Pioneers some breathing room. Best's and Jerome's assists on the play were their fifth and sixth of the season, respectively.

The Pioneers and Cougars will rematch again tomorrow at the Alpha Ice Complex in the final regular season game of the 2025-26 season. Puck drop is set for 1:00 pm. Utica has already clinched an appearance in the UCHC Championship Tournament, but will await the results of today and tomorrow's remaining UCHC slate before locking in its seed for the bracket.