The Utica College field hockey team is off to another solid start as the Pioneers are currently 2-0 in Empire 8 play and 4-4 overall. One of their two conference victories came against Stevens, 1-0, at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium Saturday. The victory marks the first time the Pioneers have ever defeated the Ducks, snapping Steven's 17 game conference winning streak.

The other conference victory came on the road against Nazareth on Sept. 18th, 1-0, in penalty strokes. The Pioneers have not made the Empire 8 playoffs since 2005 and with the 2-0 start, they are on pace to end the postseason drought. They even had a thrilling non-conference victory over Oswego on the road as they were down 3-0 at the end of the first half but rallied to win 4-3 on Sept. 8th.

Lindsey Jester (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent), the College's reigning female athlete of the week, leads the team with four goals this season. Mallory Mariano (Oneida, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) is tied with Jester for the team lead in points with 10, as well as leading the team with four assists.

The Pioneers return to action when they travel to Ithaca for a key conference game against the Bombers. The game will be played on Saturday, Oct. 2 and it is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.