Box Score Utica 5, Brockport 1 - Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (10/9/2011) – Freshman forward Hannah Mackey (Locke, NY/Moravia Central) exploded for two goals in a span of 1:01 to open the second half as she helped guide the Utica College field hockey team to a convincing 5-1 victory over The College at Brockport Sunday afternoon at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.  Mackey also added a team-high nine shots and one assist to help UC rebound from its first Empire 8 Conference loss of the season. 

The Pioneers' moved their record to 8-4 overall as they prepare for a three game road trip - beginning with a visit to Skidmore College on Wednesday afternoon. Brockport (7-5), which had won five of its last six games headed into Sunday's non-conference showdown, was outshot 27-4 on the day and fell into a 3-0 hole early in the second half and could not muster a comeback.  

Utica has now won six of its last eight games (two one goal losses) and the Pioneers have three key conference games down the stretch as they jockey for a chance to host the Empire 8 Conference Tournament for the first time in program-history. 

Senior defender Jessica Ahearn (Bangor, PA/Bangor) netted her first goal of the season in the 12th minute of the contest after a beautiful crossing pass from Mackey.  Ahearn started the penalty corner opportunity by sending a pass to the top of the circle, Mackey collected the ball and sent it right back to Ahearn, who was prepared for a one-timer on the doorstep.  Ahearn converted the perfectly executed penalty corner opportunity to give the Pioneers' a 1-0 advantage. 

Mackey netted the first two goals of the second half to put the Pioneers' on top by three.  Brockport's Abby Eschen got the visitors on the board in the 44th minute when she tallied her second goal of the season after a crossing pass from Kelly-Ann Henry. 

The usual suspects sealed the victory for the Pioneers.  Freshman Louise Steele-Norton (Avondale, PA/Millbrook School) tallied her eighth goal of the season in the 47th minute, before Mallory Mariano (Oneida, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) netted a penalty stroke goal in the 50th minute to secure the win.  Mariano also assisted on Steele-Norton's 47th minute goal. 

Mackey now leads the team with 18 points through 12 games, while Steele-Norton and Mariano are each tied for second with 17 points apiece.  Mariano leads the team with five assists this season. 

Senior goalie Monica Storms (Owego, NY/Owego) stopped two shots and lowered her goals against average to 1.66. Brockport's Kasey Schreiner stopped 14 shots in net before being replaced by Amanda DelBuono with 17:30 left in the contest. 

The Pioneers non-conference game at Skidmore College on Wednesday will begin at 4 p.m.

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