Pioneer Men Left Out of NCAA Hockey Bracket

The Utica College Pioneers men's hockey team was riding high this weekend as they captured the inaugural UCHC Championship - defeating Elmira 8-3 - but the team did not get the good news they were hoping for today. 

The NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Bracket was released this morning and the Pioneers were left out of the twelve-team tournament.

The Pioneers were 21-5-1 overall this season and posted a 12-4 in the UCHC - a conference whose winner does not receive an automatic NCAA bid. UC did face two tourney-bound teams this regular season - both of whom will have a first round byes in the NCAA tournament.The Pioneers defeated Salve Regina by a 3-1 final in late November, but lost by a 2-1 final to Adrian in their first game back after the Christmas break in early January.