Reigning Empire 8 Conference Player of the Year Katie Kutas (New York Mills/New York Mills) netted the game-winner on a rebound early in the second half to guide the Utica College field hockey team past visiting Brockport 2-1 Sunday.

The Pioneers, who have won three out of their last four, improved to 7-8 overall, while the Golden Eagles drop to below .500 with a 6-7 overall record. Utica avenges last years' 2-1 loss at Brockport. UC is now 4-2 in six meetings against Brockport. The Pioneers have out scored the Golden Eagles 15-8 over the course of six meetings.

Sophomore forward Allyson Granish (Binghamton/Harpursville) netted her fifth goal of the season to give Brockport a 1-0 lead 6:41 into the first half. Granish had just entered the game, picked up a loose ball, and ripped a shot from 12 yards out that beat UC goalie Amanda McDonnell (Sagamore Beach, MA/Portsmouth Abby) right side. Granish ranks second on the team with 12 points on the season.

The Pioneers responded with two unanswered goals to seal their second straight win. Senior captain Laurie Calvasina (Vestal/Apalachin) came through in the clutch once again netting her team-high 13th goal of the season on a crossing pass from Kutas just 1:20 into the second half. 5:30 later Kutas banged home the game-winner and McDonnell stood strong in net for the remainder of the contest, despite several penalty corner opportunities for the Golden Eagles, to lift UC to victory.
McDonnell tallied a game-high nine saves on the evening, while her counterpart, Andrea Vitello (Amherst/Sweet Home), stopped seven shots for Brockport.

Both teams recorded ten shots on the day, while the Golden Eagles registered 12 penalty corners compared to the Pioneers six. Kutas led UC with a team-high five shots on goal, while junior midfielder Amanda Pickard (Depew/Lancaster) led Brockport with three shots.

The Pioneers return to action Wednesday when they travel to Hartwick College to take on the Hawks in Empire 8 Conference action. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. The Golden Eagles close out the regular season Wednesday against host Rochester at 4:00 p.m.
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