UTICA, NY - The Union College field hockey team netted two goals in the first six minutes of the contest and never looked back as they defeated host Utica College 4-1 in non conference play on the turf at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium Wednesday afternoon. Senior defender Shannon Moats (Vernon, NY) netted the lone goal of the contest for the Pioneers while former Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Year Rebecca Corsones (Hurley, NY) added an assist for UC. Union out shot Utica 9-8 but the Pioneers earned a 14-8 penalty corner advantage on the day.
With the win the Dutchwomen have now won two of their last three games and improved to 2-2 overall on the year. The Pioneers have now lost two in a row after winning two of their first three games of the season and their record falls to 2-3 overall. Union has won three of the last five meetings between the two non conference opponents and the combined score in the last five contests between Utica and Union is now 13-13.
Union jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first 5:56 of play behind a successful penalty stroke from Tyler Willey (Stockton, NJ) followed 43 seconds later by a rebound goal from junior Kelsey Powers (Naples, ME).
Utica answered 1:34 before the end of the first half with a goal from Moats, assisted by Corsones, to cut the Dutchwomen lead in half as the first half horn sounded.
The second half scoring was dominated by Union as Lauren Winchell (Glens Falls, NY) added an unassisted goal at the 41:57 mark before Isabel Zellweger (Rye, NY) closed out the scoring on the day with a goal in the 48th minute. Lizzy Moran (Unionville, PA) assisted on the Dutchwomen's final goal of the contest.
Utica returns to action on Saturday when they travel to Empire 8 Conference rival Elmira College. The contest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Union opens up Liberty League Conference play when they host Skidmore College on Saturday at 2 p.m.
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