Box Score Utica 2, Union 1 - Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (10/2/2011) - The Utica College field hockey team capped its four game home stand with a 2-1 non-conference victory over visiting Union College on the turf at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium Sunday afternoon.   Sophomore Ally Sanders (Endicott, NY/Maine Endwell) netted her first collegiate goal in the victory, while freshman Louise Steele-Norton (Avondale, PA/Millbrook School) netted her sixth goal in the last six games to help UC win its fourth game in five tries. 

Union's lone goal of the contest was scored off a penalty corner as time expired to prevent UC goalie Monica Storms (Owego, NY/Owego) from earning her second shutout of the season.  Union's Ali Flake scored the Dutchwomen's goal at the 70 minute marker, off an assist from freshman Darcy Berger. 

The Pioneers moved their record to 7-3 overall and they remain perfect in Empire 8 Conference play with a record of 3-0.  Utica also snapped a four game losing streak against Union that dated back to 2006.  Union's woes continue and the Dutchwomen (0-9, 0-3 LL) have now lost nine straight games. 

Storms stopped two shots in net for the Pioneers', while sophomore Molly McCune made six saves in net for the visitors. 

Senior defender Jessica Ahearn (Bangor, PA/Bangor) helped the Pioneers' score their first goal of the game when she delivered a precise penalty corner pass to Sanders.  Sanders then ripped her first career goal into the back of the cage, on the left side, from 12 yards out. 

Freshman Hannah Mackey (Locke, NY/Moravia Central) assisted on Steel-Norton's goal in the 55th minute.  Mackey now ranks third on the team with 13 points through ten games.  Steele-Norton, who is the reigning Empire 8 Conference Player of the Week, now leads the team with seven goals and 15 points this season.

Utica outshot the visitors 9-3 on the day and the Pioneers also earned a 7-6 penalty corner advantage. 

UC will now hit the road next Saturday when it travels to Elmira College for an Empire 8 Conference contest at 1 p.m.  Union returns home on Tuesday when they take on Morrisville State for a non conference contest at 4 p.m.

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