Ian Amsbaugh – Adrian College (Photo by John Discher)
#10 Adrian College at #2 Utica University
Friday, October 31 – 7 PM | Saturday, November 1 – 2 PM EST
Adrian leads all-time series 7–5–1
Piros Returns to Utica as Adrian and Pioneers Kick Off 2025 Season
As the NCAA Division III season gets underway, two powerhouse programs are set to clash at the Adirondack Bank Center. The No. 10 Adrian College Bulldogs travel eight hours east to face the No. 2 Utica University Pioneers. Adrian holds a slight all-time edge in the series (7–5–1), with their last meeting ending in a 5–3 Bulldogs victory on November 3, 2024.
Utica enters the season fresh off back-to-back Frozen Four appearances, aiming to make it three in a row. After falling to Hobart in the national championship, the Pioneers saw significant roster turnover, returning just 47.32% of their total points from last season. To offset that, they were aggressive in the transfer portal, adding six NCAA Division I players and two Division III transfers, highlighted by Elmira’s star goaltender Kyle Curtin, who transferred in the late summer.
Curtin brings a strong résumé, posting a 2.51 GAA, .925 SV%, and two shutouts over his NCAA career, with a 31–9–1 record. The Pioneers also bolstered their blue line, adding three Division I defensemen, including Tyler Procious and Hunter Longhi (both from American International College), as well as Alex Gomez and Davis Goukler (from Alaska–Anchorage), giving them built-in chemistry from the start. Behind the bench, Utica promoted alumnus Nick Therrien to Associate Head Coach, signaling confidence in the program’s internal leadership and continuity.
For Adrian, an 18–10–1 record last season marked what some might call a “down year” by their standards. Excluding the COVID-shortened season, it was the first time in program history the Bulldogs failed to win at least 20 games or capture either a regular-season title, conference championship, or NCAA tournament berth. Despite that, Adrian returns 76.74% of its total points and brings back a deep, veteran lineup capable of bouncing back in a big way.
Ryan Piros – Utica University, now Adrian College (Photo by Dave Warner – CNYHockeyReport.com)
One of the most intriguing storylines this weekend is the return of sophomore goaltender Ryan Piros to Utica. Piros, who transferred from Dubuque to Utica mid-season last year before joining Adrian in the offseason, led the Pioneers to a national runner-up finish. His numbers improved drastically after arriving at Utica, as his GAA dropped from 3.32 to 1.95, and his save percentage climbed from .907 to .926. He will be a player to watch as he makes his first return to the Aud. It’s worth noting that there still is a goaltender battle up for grabs. Senior Jackson Bernard has waited his time behind former goaltender Dershahn Stewart, it remains to be seen whether Piros or Bernard earn the start, or whether they each get a game against the Pioneers in opening weekend.
Offensively, Adrian’s top line featuring Bradley Somers and Ian Amsbaugh remains one of Division III’s toughest duos to contain. Last season, the pair failed to record a point in the same game only six times, one of those being against Utica.
This weekend’s series has all the makings of an early-season thriller. Two elite programs, new faces in goal, and high-powered offenses will collide in a Halloween weekend matchup that could set the tone for both teams’ seasons. Puck drops Friday at 7 PM and Saturday at 2 PM EST in what should be a classic goaltending battle at the Aud, home of this year’s NCAA Men’s Division III Frozen Four.
