KEUKA PARK, NY - (April 22, 2009) The Utica College women's lacrosse team jumped out to a 9-1 lead in the first half of play en route to a 15-3 win over non conference foe Keuka College Wednesday afternoon. Sophomore Julianne Schultheiss played a part in nine Utica goals, tallying a career-high nine points on five assists and four goals.
With the win the Pioneers improve to 8-4 overall and 4-2 in conference play. UC will have to win one of their final two games against Empire 8 rivals St. John Fisher and Nazareth College to earn a spot in the conference tournament for the second time in the programs history. Keuka College falls to 3-5 with the loss and travels to Oswego State on Friday in non-conference play.
Freshman Katlyn Banker scored her 16th goal of the season 2:29 into the first half off a pass from Julianne Schultheiss, who less then one minute later netted her first goal of the game. Schultheiss was not finished; Katlyn Banker returned the favor, feeding Schultheiss for her second goal of the game. Five more Pioneers would find the back of the net in the first half including sophomore Tammy Kohanski, freshman teammates Kim Rigney and Maria Santucci along with senior Kelly Regan.
The Pioneer defense only gave up one goal to host Keuka College in the first half allowing only four shots and causing six turnovers.
Kohanski netted three consecutive goals in the first 12:12 in the second half. The Storm were finally able to answer back with a goal from senior Brenna Leach, who scored the only two goals of the half for Keuka. Kelly Regan and Maria Santucci both picked up their second goal of the game, while Julianne Schultheiss scored her game-high fourth goal.
Kohanski and Schultheiss both snagged four goals on the day. Kohanski leads the team with 41 goals on the season and stands third in the conference for goals scored. Schultheiss also led the game with five assists and senior Jackie Vincencio pulled in a game-high five ground balls.
Freshman Shelby Barbay picked her eight win of the season stopping four shots. Barbay increased her season save total to 120, good for a 10.91 saves per game average. Audrey Randell picked up 11 saves on the day in her fifth loss for the Storm
As a team UC is ranked No. 1 in the Empire 8 with a .453 shot percentage. The Pioneer defense holds second in the conference with an 11.91 caused turnovers per game average, while causing 13 turnovers and held the Storm to only eight shots for the day.
The Pioneers will travel to St. John Fisher in Empire 8 action on April 25, looking to stay alive in the playoff hunt. The game is set to start at 1 p.m.
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