Sophomore goalie Shelby Barbay (Waterloo, NY/Waterloo) came up with 13 saves in the second half, and held visiting St. John Fisher to just one goal in the final 30 minutes of play, as the Utica College women's lacrosse team defeated the Cardinals 10-6 in Empire 8 Conference play Saturday. Barbay finished the day with 17 saves, while junior Tammy Kohanski (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran) added a game-high four goals and one assist.

UC improved to 6-7 overall and 4-4 in Empire 8 Conference play. The conference ledger marks the third straight season the Pioneers have finished 4-4 in Empire 8 play. Fisher dropped to 3-11 overall and 2-5 in the E8.

The Pioneers jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first 3:40 of play behind two goals from Katlyn Banker (Henrietta, NY/Rush-Henrietta) and one from Kohanski. Kohanksi also assisted on Bankers second goal of the day. Fisher cut the UC lead to 3-1 in the 22nd minute before the Pioneers posted two more goals to take a commanding 5-1 lead midway through the first half.

Fisher answered with four straight goals to wrap up the first half with the score tied at 5-5.

The Pioneers dominated play in the second half, outscoring the Cardinals 5-1, to earn the four goal victory. Banker and Kohanski combined for three goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half to extend the Pioneers lead to 8-5 with 15:34 to go in the game. Fisher went on to add one more goal but junior Lily Fleskes (Dover, MA/Dover Sherborn) netted two goals in the final ten minutes to secure the victory for Utica.

Fisher out shot UC 38-16 on the day but Barbay, the reigning conference player of the week, was stellar in net all evening to ensure the victory for the Pioneers. Jackie Maynard led the way for the Cardinals with three goals and one assist.

                           --- wwwucpioneers.com ---