UTICA, N.Y. -- Junior Janet Xu (Edmonton, Alta./Ontario Hockey Academy) and senior Nicole Mensi (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Northwood School) each scored for the Manhattanville College women's hockey team while senior goalie Rose Pijaca (Worcester, Mass./Worcester Academy) posted another 30+ save game as the Valiants remained unbeaten in United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCUC) action with a 2-1 victory over the Utica College Pioneers Tuesday, Jan. 8 from the Adirondack Bank Center.

Xu scored on the power play at 18:18 of the opening period while Mensi converted a short-handed opportunity at 9:58 of the second for Manhattanville (9-2-2, 6-0-1 UCHC). Utica (9-3, 6-1 UCHC) nearly doubled Manhattanville's shot total (33-19), but managed to get only a single puck past Pijaca, who registered her third 30+ save performance in her last four outings.

Both teams failed to convert on their first power play opportunities of the night, though Utica's offense did force two saves from Pijaca and a blocked shot apiece from senior Morgan Wilm (West Chester, Pa./Millbrook School), junior Amanda Sabia (Freehold, N.J./The Gunnery) and junior Ali Howard (Rye, N.Y./Rye) during their first man-advantage. After a brief 4-on-4 in the late stages of the period, Xu scored her third goal of the year off a cross-ice pass from Mensi, following a shot from junior Zoey Pellowitz (Arlington, Va./Washington Pride (JWHL)) that rebounded out to Mensi.

With two seconds left on Utica's fourth power play of the night, Mensi, the reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Week, scored her 10^th goal of the season. Wilm created the opportunity after stealing the puck in the Valiants' defensive zone and carrying across center ice before feeding a wide open Mensi, who went top shelf on Pioneers' goalie Bria Reilly from point-blank range.

Nicole Johnson found Maddie Paydos near the far side post at 3:45 of the third period, spoiling Pijaca's shutout. Pijaca made eight more saves the rest of the way as Manhattanville held on for its second 2-1 victory in 48 hours, following its win over the Castleton University Spartans in the WSYB/Catamount Radio Invitational on Sunday.

Manhattanville will wrap up its 10-game, 6+ week road trip tomorrow in the final game of its UCHC series with the Pioneers at 2 p.m.