RIT 15, Utica 12 - Box Score

Rochester, N.Y. (4/9/11) – Senior Tammy Kohanski (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran) netted five goals and junior Katlyn Banker (Henrietta, NY/Rush-Henrietta) added a game-high six points (three goals, three assists) but it was not enough as Utica College lost an Empire 8 Conference contest, 15-12, against host RIT on Saturday afternoon. Senior Lily Fleskes (Dover, MA/Dover Sherborn) added three goals of her own as the Pioneers lost their third conference game in four tries and dropped to 4-4 overall and 1-3 in the E8.

RIT, which led by one goal or more for the majority of the contest, improved to 3-7 overall and evened its conference record at 2-2. The Tigers were paced by Shelby Vakiener's team-high four goals, while Megan Henriksen added three goals of her own. RIT converted on 6-of-8 free position attempts in the victory. 

The first half was a back and forth battle and Kohanski knotted the score at 5-5 after a free position goal with 10:15 to go before the half. RIT answered by outscoring UC 3-1 in the final 9:06 of the first half to take a 8-6 lead into intermission.

RIT extended its lead to as many as four goals by netting the first two goals of the second half, both from the stick of Henriksen. The Tigers ended up outscoring the Pioneers 5-1 in the first 10:12 of the second half to take a commanding 13-7 lead with 19:17 to go in regulation.

Banker, Fleskes and Kohanski helped the Pioneers' outscore the hosts 5-2 in the final 18:30 of the contest but it proved to be too late as the Tigers earned the three goal victory.

UC junior goalie Shelby Barbay (Waterloo, NY/Waterloo) stopped eight shots in her fourth loss of the season while RIT netminder Katelyn Crane stopped ten shots in the victory.

Kohanski added a team-high five draw controls and picked up three ground balls, while Maria Santucci (Holliston, MA/Marian), Julianne Schultheiss (Commack, NY/Commack) and Fleskes each added four ground balls of their own.

The Pioneers return to action on Sunday when they travel to Nazareth College to take on the Golden Flyers at 1 p.m. Check www.ucpioneers.com for a link to follow live stats throughout the contest.

                                                                --- www.ucpioneers.com ---