Box Score

Canton, N.Y. (9/4/2010) - The Utica College field hockey team opened its 2010 campaign with an impressive 6-0 victory over Thomas College in Canton, NY on Saturday afternoon at the “Fall Field Hockey Fest” hosted by St. Lawrence University.

The Pioneers (1-0, 0-0) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead only 1:49 into the contest when Erin Murphy (West Winfield, NY/Mt. Markham) scored off of a penalty corner. The goal would spark Utica to a big first half cushion, as they built a 5-0 lead in the opening stanza against Thomas (0-2, 0-0).

Mallory Mariano (Oneida, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) and Jessica Ahearn (Bangor, PA/Bangor) both scored their first goals of the season at 5:53 and 11:31, respectively, to put the Pioneers up 3-0. Both goals, which came off of penalty corners, were assisted by Lindsey Jester (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent). Jester would make it 4-0 at 16:37 before Ahearn scored her second of the half on a rebound for the 5-0 lead.

Utica, which outshot the Terriers 13-3 in the first half, would continue to pour on the offensive chances in the second half. However, Thomas goalkeeper Megan Denby was fantastic in net, making 17 saves and allowing a single goal to Avion Ashton (Trinidad/Sixth Form Government), which brought the game to its final score of 6-0.

Utica closed with a 37-3 advantage in shots on goal and had 27 penalty corners while holding Thomas College without one. Denby finished with 20 saves in the contest, while Utica's starting goalkeeper Monica Storms (Owego, NY/Owego) made two saves to pick up the victory.

The Pioneers will face St. Lawrence tomorrow at 1:30pm, while Thomas will square off with Oneonta State at 11:00am.