The Utica College field hockey team lost 2-1 Saturday to conference rival Ithaca at Yavits Field in Ithaca, NY. Junior Jessica Ahearn (Bangor, PA/Bangor) (Bangor, PA) scored the lone goal for the Pioneers off an Allee Straub (Granville, NY/Granville) (Granville, NY) assist. Both teams have a mirror record of 4-5 overall and 2-1 in the Empire 8.

Ithaca's Heather Kozimor scored her first goal of the season 2:37 into the game and the score would remain 1-0 at halftime. Then after 45 minutes of scoreless play, the Bombers would net their second goal at 48:10 in the second half. Utica would answer a little over seven minutes later with Ahearn's third goal of the season, but Ithaca would defend its one goal lead to victory. Utica College's Mallory Mariano (Oneida, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) (Oneida, NY) came off the bench and had three shots on goal. UC outshot the Bombers 11-10. Goalkeeper Monica Storms (Owego, NY/Owego) recorded four saves for Utica and now has 50 on the year.

The Pioneers are back in action Sunday for a non-conference contest against Skidmore University at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium in Utica, NY. The game is scheduled to begin 1 p.m. The Thoroughbreds are 7-1 this season, including a 3-0 record in the Liberty League conference.