Utica, NY (March 5, 2009) – Sophomore Julianne Schultheiss (Commack/ Commack) netted a team-high three goals, including the game-winner, as the Utica College women's lacrosse team knocked off visiting Geneseo State 10-9 for the first time in program-history Thursday. The Pioneers earned a 10-7 lead mid-way through the second half and allowed just two goals in the final 17:31 of play to earn the season-opening victory.
The Pioneers (1-0) had never won a season-opening game headed into Thursday's contest and they improved to 1-2 against the Blue Knights (0-1) in three meetings all-time. In two previous meetings the Knights beat Utica by an average of 10.5 goals per contest.
Geneseo jumped out to a 4-3 lead 16:28 into the first half of play after sophomore Anna Hutchings (Syracuse/Westhill) fired home her first goal of the season off a free position attempt. UC scored four of the game's next six goals, including two from senior attack Jackie Vicencio (Miller Place/Miller Place), to earn a 7-6 lead headed into halftime. The final goal of the half came from Utica senior and two-sport athlete Laura Keating (Horseheads/Whitesboro) off a free-position attempt with just one second left in the first half of play. The Pioneers were outshot 21-12 in the first half, but they earned a 15-7 ground ball advantage.
UC tacked on two more goals in the first ten minutes of the second half, capped by a free position tally from Katlyn Banker (Rush-Henrietta/Henrietta), to take a commanding 9-6 lead with 20:30 to go in the contest. Geneseo scored three of the game's final four goals, including two with less than seven minutes to go in the game, but it was not enough as the Pioneers earned the key non conference victory. Geneseo senior attack Laura Kitts (Camillus/West Genesee) had a breakaway opportunity with just three seconds left on the game clock but her shot was saved by UC freshman goalie Shelby Barbay (Waterloo/Waterloo) as time expired to seal the victory for the Pioneers.
Barbay closed out the evening with a game-high 17 saves in her first collegiate start. Her counterpart, senior Hannah McKee (Ithaca/Ithaca), stopped 10 shots in net for Geneseo. The Blue Knights outshot the Pioneers 29-23 on the evening.
Vicencio totaled three points on two goals and one assist for UC, while freshman forward Kim Rigney (Sachem North/Holbrook) added two points (one goal, one assist) in her first collegiate contest. Sophomore Lily Fleskes (Dover Sherborn/Dover, MA) registered two points one goal and one assist, while former Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Year Tammy Kohanski (Corcoran/Syracuse) netted a goal of her own.
Senior midfielder Maggie Morris (Massapequa/Massapequa) totaled a game-high four points on three goals and one assist, while Anna Hutchings and junior Tara Murphy (St. James/Smithtown) each netted two goals for the Blue Knights. Laura Kitts posted two points on one goal and one assist.
The Pioneers return to action Saturday when they travel to Oneonta State for their second straight non conference contest against a SUNYAC opponent. The Pioneers are 0-6 all-time against the Red Dragons. The contest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Geneseo continues its four game road trip when they travel to Empire 8 Conference member RIT Tuesday. The first draw control is set for 4 p.m.
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