The Utica College women's field hockey team ended a three-game skid Friday and got their first win of the season out of the way as they cruised past host Oswego State 4-2 in non-conference action at Laker Field. 

With the win UC improves to 3-1 while the Lakers dropped to 0-2 with the loss.  UC returns to action Sunday when they host local rival Hamilton College in the home opener for the Pioneers at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.  UC out shot Oswego 23-11 and earned a 13-11 penalty corner advantage in route to earning the victory.  The Pioneers have outscored Oswego 9-2 over the course of their last two meetings. 

The Pioneers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half behind goals from junior captain Theresa Staring, her first of the year at 13:17, sophomore Linsey Jester just over four minutes later, and finally  freshman Avion Candice Ashton with 11:28 to go in the first half.

Ashton added her second goal of the game to open the second half scoring and it gave UC a commanding 4-0 lead.  The goal came on a shot from the right side that hit top shelf over Oswego goalie Jaime Scharfe's shoulder.  Sophomore Halley Coon, who was recently named the Utica College Female Athlete of the Week after netting two goals opening weekend, assisted on the Pioneers second and third goals of the game. 

Oswego added two late goals, but it was too little too late as the Pioneers held on for a 4-2 victory.  Senior captain Amanda McDonnell stopped four shots and earned her first victory of the season, while freshman Monica Storms came in to close the door in net for the Pioneers.  Scharfe stopped five shots in net for the Lakers. 

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