GENESEO, NY - Freshman Allee Straub (Granville, NY) and junior Erin Murphy (West Winfield, NY) each netted deflection goals as the Utica College field hockey team defeated host Geneseo State 2-0 in non conference play Wednesday afternoon. Sophomore Mallory Mariano (Oneida, NY) assisted on Straub's first half goal as the Pioneers improved to 4-3 overall on the year. Sophomore goalie Monica Storms (Owego, NY) totaled three saves in her third shut out of the season. The Pioneers have never lost to the Blue Knights, defeating them seven consecutive times dating back to 2002.

Geneseo snapped a four game winning streak and they remain 2-0 in SUNYAC Conference play. The Pioneers have only allowed one goal in their last four meetings against the Blue Knights and they have outscored them by a combined score of 17-6 dating back to 2002.

Straub opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with her first collegiate goal when she deflected a cross by Mariano into the back of the cage past Geneseo goalie Nicole Zite to give UC a 1-0 lead with 2:16 to go in the first half of play.

Murphy added an insurance goal, the second of her career, off a deflection in the 56th minute to seal the victory for the Pioneers.

Zito stopped three shots in net for the Blue Knights. UC out shot Geneseo 8-7 overall while the home team earned a 10-4 penalty corner advantage.

The Pioneers return to action Sunday when they host Empire 8 Conference foe Washington & Jefferson on the turf at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The contest is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Live stats and video will be available right here at www.ucpioneers.com.

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