UTICA, NY – Freshmen Celena Rae and Makenna Wiljanen had a goal and an assist each to lead the Nazareth College women's hockey team to a 3-1 victory Wednesday night in a United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) game at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Nazareth (15-2-3 overall, 9-1-2 UCHC) had the early advantage with an11-6 edge in shots in the first period but the teams went to the first intermission with a scoreless tie. Sophomore Adrianna Brehm had a big save early in the game and sophomore Abbey Luth had the best scoring chance in the opening period with a shot off her own rebound that was saved off the end of the leg pad to keep the game scoreless.

In the second period, Nazareth jumped out to the lead as the Golden Flyers took advantage of a power play opportunity and scored with just one second left in the penalty. Sophomore captain Keeley Rose fired a shot from the point and Wiljanen redirected the puck past the Utica (7-12-1, 7-4-1 UCHC) goalie for the 1-0 lead. Rae added a second assist on the play as she fed the puck back to Rose to start the scoring play.

The Pioneers equaled the score late in the period with a deflected shot in front of Brehm as Utica knotted the score with 2:53 left in the period.

The Golden Flyers enjoyed another shot advantage in the period with a 14-5 edge but the score remained tied going into the third period.

Midway through the period, Nazareth regained the lead as sophomore Stephanie Kubis sent a long pass up the boards to classmate Hailey Redders near the red line and the speedy Redders skated past the defense and went in 1-on-1 with the goal and beat her with a shot over her shoulder and into the top corner of the goal for the 2-1 lead.

Six minutes later, Utica nearly tied the score again but Brehm made a diving stop to preserve the lead.

Nazareth struck again to increase the lead just a minute later as Rae fired a shot into the side of the goal off a pass from Wiljanen with 5:43 left on the clock.

With 4:30 remaining, Utica nearly trimmed the lead with a shot over the shoulder of Brehm but the puck hit the cross bar and stayed out of the net.

The Pioneers pulled their goalie in the final minute but could not get control of the puck in the offensive zone and Nazareth had a pair of long shots at the empty net before the game ended with the 3-1 Nazareth win.

The Golden Flyers finished with a decisive 39-19 edge in shots and Brehm finished 18 saves and improved to 10-1-3 on the year.

Nazareth returns to action Sunday afternoon with another road game at Oswego in a non-conference matchup.