UTICA, NY (March 11, 2009) – The Utica College women's lacrosse team jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first 6:15 of play and never looked back as they defeated visiting Potsdam State 14-8 in non conference play Tuesday afternoon on the turf at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.

The Pioneers improved to 2-1 overall on the year and remained undefeated in nine meetings all-time against the Bears. Potsdam evened its record at 1-1 on the year after the loss to UC. Potsdam defeated Clarkson University in its season-opener, 13-9, on Saturday.

Utica opened up a 6-1 lead at the 14:24 mark of the first half behind two goals apiece from seniors Kelly Regan and Jackie Vicencio, to go along with one goal each from freshman Kim Rigney and sophomore Lily Fleskes. Both teams scored two unassisted goals in the final 7:18 of play in the first half and the Pioneers earned an 8-3 lead headed into halftime. All three of Regan's goals came in the first half as the Pioneers outshot the Bears 18-11 in the first 30 minutes.

Junior Molly Lehman-Lewis paced the Potsdam comeback with three goals in the first 10:33 of the second half. Freshman Ashley Bordignon assisted on two of Lehman-Lewis's three goals to cut the Pioneers lead to 9-6 with just under 20 minutes left in the contest.

The Pioneers answered with five of the games next six goals to earn a commanding 14-7 lead with 3:52 to go in the contest. Sophomore Tammy Kohanski, a former Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Year selection, netted three of the Pioneers final five goals. Senior Laura Keating and sophomore Julianne Schulteiss also scored one goal apiece to wrap up the Pioneers' scoring efforts.

Lehman-Lewis scored all five of the Bears second half goals, including the final goal of the contest with 43 seconds left on the game clock. She registered a game-high six goals on the day and now has ten total points on the season.

UC freshman goalie Shelby Barbay stopped seven shots in her second victory of the season, while Kaci Milligan and Sarah Sweeney combined for 12 saves in net for the Bears.

The Pioneers outshot Potsdam 35-19 on the day and also earned an 18-6 draw control advantage. UC converted on 9-of-14 clears compared to the Bears 11-of-27 effort.

Kohanski and Regan each totaled four points on three goals and one assist, while Keating totaled three points on two assists and one goal. Keating needs three more assists to tie Heather Kilduff '03 for second place on the College's all-time assists list. She currently has 35 assists in 47 career games played at UC. Freshman Kim Rigney snagged a career-high 10 draw controls for the Pioneers.

Bordignon totaled three points on one goal and two assists, while Kelsey Shoen netted one goal for the Bears. Maribeth Simmons totaled four draw controls for Potsdam.

UC returns to action Friday when they take on visiting and defending Division III national champion Hamilton College in a non conference contest on the turf at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The first draw control is set for 4:30 p.m. Live video and stats will be available at www.ucpioneers.com . Potsdam remains on the road when they travel to Keuka College on Saturday for its third game of the season at 7 p.m.

--- www.ucpioneers.com ---