Second year Head Coach Sarah Bergmann heads into the 2010 campaign with one of the most experience field hockey program's in school-history. The Pioneers lost just two seniors to graduation last May and UC fields a combined 14 juniors and seniors this Fall with the hopes that experience will lift them to the Empire 8 Conference Tournament.

In fact, the Pioneers boast the most experienced roster in the conference, followed closely by Nazareth's 13 combined juniors and seniors. Hartwick has 11, Elmira has nine, Stevens and Ithaca have eight and Washington & Jefferson has seven.

“Experience is so important in any sport and our upperclassman will play a major role in our success down the stretch,” says Bergmann. “I also think we have some talented freshman and sophomores that will give us depth and keep the juniors and seniors on their toes.”

Utica, which finished 8-9 last season, hopes to buck the trend of missing out on post season play this Fall, and after losing just two seniors to graduation, it appears as if the Pioneers are prepared to do just that. The last time UC finished in the top four in the conference was in 2006 when the Pioneers tied for first place with a 4-2 record in the E8.

Meet the Team:

Forwards

Utica's front line will be led once again by junior Rebecca Corsones (Hurley, NY/Kingston) and senior Lindsey Jester (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent). Corsones led the team with ten points on three goals and four assists last season. Over the course of two seasons she has totaled 20 points. Jester ranked second on the team with nine points last season, totaling three goals and three assists, including one game-winner.

“Goal production is going to be very important for us this season,” says Bergmann. “We have to score more than 23 goals (last year's total) to be at the top of the Empire 8 Conference and I think we have the right mix to accomplish that goal.”

Junior Mallory Mariano (Oneida, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill), sophomore Allee Straub (Granville, NY/Granville) and freshman Jessica Franklin (Delevan, NY/Pioneer) are also expected to see time up top. Mariano totaled three points on one goal and one assist as a sophomore. Her lone goal of the year proved to be the game-winner as the Pioneers' defeated Elmira College 2-1. Straub saw action in nine contests as a freshman and netted her first collegiate goal in the Pioneers' 2-0 win over Geneseo State.

Midfielders

The UC midfield may very well be its strongest asset led by five seniors Avion Ashton (Trinidad/Sixth Form Government), Erin Murphy (West Winfield, NY/Mt. Markham), Haley Coon, Sarah Keller and Kim Martin (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent). Ashton, an All-Conference selection one year ago, started all 17 games for the Pioneers last year and totaled three points on three assists. She made her mark on opposing coaches through her consistent ball handling and ability to control the midfield. Ashton has played in 29 career games and tallied seven points on two goals and three assists over the course of the last two years. Murphy totaled three points in 17 games played last season. She netted her second career goal in the Pioneers' 2-0 shutout victory over Geneseo State on Sept. 23rd. In three full seasons she has played in 40 games and has five points on two goals and one assist.

Coon ranked third on the team with eight points last season. She netted the game-winner in the Pioneers' season opener against St. Lawrence and she is expected to see plenty of playing time again this year. Keller started 16 games and totaled seven points last season. In two full seasons at UC she has netted five goals and added four assists.

Senior two-sport athlete Kim Martin (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent) returns after taking a two year hiatus and should make an immediate impact. As a freshman, Martin started all 17 games and netted ten points before deciding to concentrate solely on softball. She is a three-time all-conference selection as a member of the UC softball team. Adding depth to the midfield will be freshman Abby Clark (Morrisville, NY/Morrisville Eaton) of Morrisville, N.Y.

“We are very deep in the middle of the field and that is vital for creating those scoring opportunities,” says Bergmann. “Avion, Erin, Hayley and Sarah are all very talented players, and Kim should not have trouble getting back to full form.”

Defensemen

Leading the way for the Pioneer defense will be seniors Lucy Papia (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville North) and Alex Carletta (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy). Papia provides the defensive corps with a solid skill set and plenty of experience having started 45 collegiate games over the course of the last three seasons. Carletta has started just under 30 games in three years and she also has the ability to score when called upon.

Juniors Emily Stull (Spinnerstown, PA/Perkiomen) and Jessica Ahearn (Bangor, PA/Bangor) have both improved dramatically over the course of the last two seasons. Ahearn played in every contest last year, while starting in six games. Stull doubled her playing time and continues to mature on the defensive end.

Freshman Meghan Morreale (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) and Ally Sanders (Endicott, NY/Maine Endwell) will also be called upon to contribute to the Pioneers' defensive efforts.

“It is always tough losing an all-conference player like Shannon Moats to graduation, but I am confident in the players we have returning and I expect that our defense will be tough to compete with,” says Bergmann.

Goalies

Junior goalie Monica Storms (Owego, NY/Owego) will be the Pioneers starting goalie on opening day, having played every minute between the posts for UC last year. In 2009, she posted an impressive 1.71 goals against average and registered four shut outs. She totaled 81 saves on the year and allowed just 29 goals in 17 contests.

“Monica has made great strides as a goalie and I think the experience she gained last season is invaluable,” says Bergmann.

Freshman Samantha Miller (Charlottesville, VA/Charlottesville High) from Charlottesville, Virginia will push Storms for the starting role.