Box Score Utica 2, Geneseo 1 - Box Score

Utica, NY (9-21-11) – The Utica College field hockey team beat SUNY Geneseo 2-1 Wednesday night at Upper Alumni Field in Geneseo, NY.  Freshman Hannah Mackey (Locke, NY/Moravia Central) netted the eventual game-winner for the Pioneers, while senior goalie Monica Storms (Owego, NY/Owego) totaled a season-high 10 saves, to help UC preserve the victory despite being out shot 15-4. 

UC improves to 4-2 on the season while holding a 1-0 record in the Empire 8 Conference while Geneseo falls to 4-3 overall on the season.  The Blue Knights compiled an 18-2 overall record last season, however they were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament in the first round to Stevens Institute of Technology.

Utica opened up the scoring at 6:26 in the first half when freshman Louise Steele-Norton (Avondale, PA/Millbrook School) tipped in a shot at the left post following a corner attempt.  Senior Mallory Mariano (Oneida, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) recorded her second assist of the season as the Pioneers' jumped out on top 1-0. 

The Pioneers, who were outshot 9-1 in the first 35 minutes, took that 1-0 lead into halftime.

Following 59 minutes of scoreless play, UC converted a fast break transition, at 65:29, to take a 2-0 advantage.  Mackey, last week's UC female athlete of the week, tallied her team-leading fifth goal of the season, unassisted.

Geneseo answered just over a minute later at 66:42 to cut the lead to 2-, however the Pioneers would fend off the home team en route to their second consecutive victory.

Mackey and Steele-Norton, both freshman, registered all four shots of the contest for Utica. Senior goalkeeper Monica Storms (Owego, NY/Owego) improved to 4-2 on the season.

The Pioneers return to action Saturday as they host E8 rival Washington and Jefferson College in the first of a three-game home stand.  The contest will be held at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium and is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.  The Presidents' are currently 5-0 this season, including a 1-0 ledger in the Empire 8 Conference.