Erica Sloan, a graduate student from Potsdam, recently put herself on top of the program’s all-time goals leader book, now holding the record at 75 goals. 

With her 74th goal, Sloan surpassed the previous tie for most in Utica’s program history held by Megan Myers ’13 and Deana Wiegand ’06. She broke the record on Feb. 17 in the last regular season game at home against King’s College.

“It felt like I was a little kid again scoring my first goal ever,” Sloan said. “I had my best friends by my side and that was all that mattered to me.” 

Sloan received her bachelor’s degree in public relations and marketing in May 2023 and stayed on for a fifth season while completing her master’s degree in business administration during the 2023-2024 academic year. 

Her record-breaking performance included five points on three goals and two assists. The three goals brought her career total to 75 while setting a new program record. 

Her first goal of the game occurred late in the first period on a shorthanded play, tying the mark, and she went on to top the program’s goal scoring list early in the third on a power play goal. In addition, she assisted with the team’s third and fifth goals. 

Sloan said that she never thought that she would be the one to break the record that has been held for many years. It would not have been possible without her teammates, she said. 

“It almost felt like a dream,” Sloan said. “I could hear the bench, and the entire building, go crazy when I scored, it was hug after hug.” 

With 14 goals and 1.08 points per game, Sloan ranks fourth in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference(UCHC). She has scored a total of six goals in her last four games. 

“There will never be another Erica Sloan,” teammate Madison Novotny said. 

Her successes appear never-ending. Starting her freshman season, Sloan made an appearance in all 26 games, collecting seven goals and eight assists. She made 13 appearances in her sophomore season, accumulating six goals and eight assists. She then played in 27 games during her time as a junior, recording 24 goals and 28 assists.

Sloan was named to the first team of the UCHC All-Conference and won player of the week. She played in 28 games during her final season as an undergraduate, tallying 24 goals and 21 assists. Sloan was awarded UCHC player of the week twice along with being named American Hockey Coaches Association(AHCA) All-American. And she’s not stopping there. 

As if her athletics accomplishments weren’t impressive enough, Sloan has been named to the UCHC All-Academic Team every year maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.20. 

Her teammates describe her as hardworking, dedicated, and selfless. 

“Erica’s leadership has been the glue to our team these past few years,” Novotny said. “She is constantly pushing herself and her teammates on and off the ice. I’m so excited to see her succeed as she makes her final playoff run for us.”

Sloan is grateful for the experiences being a Pioneer has brought her. She emphasized the impact her teammates have made on her. 

“I have learned to never take anything for granted,” Sloan said. “Coach Clausen once told me, years down the road, no one is going to be talking about statistics, everyone will be talking about the memories we made while playing the sport we love.” 

At the end of her fifth and final season, what matters most to her is the effect she has on her teammates. 

“It’s not about the personal accomplishments, it’s about the way I leave this program,” Sloan said. “I hope my teammates remember how I helped them develop as people and hockey players.” 

On Saturday, Feb. 24, the second-seeded and nationally ranked No. 14 women’s hockey team will go to the UCHC Semifinal to face Manhattanville College on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Utica University Nexus Center. As the team captain, Sloan has been an offensive force.

“I came back for my fifth year to win,” Sloan said. “Winning the UCHC Championship has been on my mind since we lost in double OT last year. We have business to finish and this is the team to do it.”