Women’s hockey began their 2025-26 postseason journey Wednesday night after finishing the regular season with a  9-15-1 record. This record was enough to secure the #3 seed in the UCHC Tournament which would match them up with the #6 seeded Manhattanville Valiants. 

The two teams played a regular season series just two weeks ago that ended in each team winning one of the two games. On top of the takeaway that both teams were capable of winning, there were only four goals scored across the two games so that implanted the idea to both teams that goals would be at a premium. 

The Pioneers would go up on the power play with just a few minutes remaining in the first period after Abby Mellen would get called for a tripping penalty. The Valiants had killed off half of the two minute disadvantage when Tess Barrett got the puck and sent a wrist shot from the top of the blue line. After a couple seconds, all eyes were turned towards the video board waiting for a replay. The shot had seemingly gone wide but the puck was somehow in the net. After seeing the play again it was clear that Barrett’s shot had gone wide right, but it was shot with so much power that it bounced off the boards, found its way back into the crease, and was pushed into the net by the goaltender. While it might not have been how she drew it up, the goal would be Barrett’s ninth career goal and gave her team the lead. 

The scoreboard operator would not have much more to do for the last two periods. Only one penalty to record and no more scoring would let Utica escape with a 1-0 victory. The Valiants had plenty of chances recording 31 shots, but star goalie Katie Sheahan would have another incredible showing, stopping all of Manhattanville’s chances to record her fourth shutout of the year. 

The Pioneers will look ahead to the semi-finals against #2 seeded Elmira College who will be plenty rested after their first round bye. The game will take place at Elmira’s Murray Athletic Center on Saturday Feb. 28 at 3 p.m.