Box Score St. Lawrence 3, Utica 2 - Box Score

Oneonta, N.Y. (9/3/2011) - The Utica College field hockey team battled back from a two goal, first half, deficit but the Pioneers could not fend off St. Lawrence, falling 3-2 in their season-opener at the Oneonta Invitational Saturday. Utica freshman Hannah Mackey (Locke, NY/Moravia Central) netted her first two collegiate goals, just 26 seconds apart in the second half, but the Saints answered with the game's final goal in the 66th minute to earn the one goal victory.

UC, which had won its season-opener that last two years, returns to the field Sunday when they take on the University of Southern Maine on the final day at the Oneonta Invitational hosted by SUNY Oneonta. The contest is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

The Pioneers found themselves in an early 1-0 hole after St. Lawrence's Courtney Cartier played a ball into the crease and teammate Carly Stine tipped it home to give the Saints the first half advantage.

Cartier got a goal of her own to put the Saints on top 2-0 in the 41st minute before Mackey exploded with her two goals to knot the contest at 2-2 in the 63rd minute. Mackey finished the day with eight of the Pioneers' 14 shots, while senior Mallory Mariano (Oneida, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) registered an assist on Mackey's second goal.

Mackey's first collegiate goal was off a rebound and her second came into the circle by way of Mariano before the freshman stung the back of the cage for the second time in less than 30 seconds.

St. Lawrence's Erika Swits drove home the game-winner past UC goalie Monica Storms (Owego, NY/Owego) with 3:14 to go in regulation to seal the victory for the Saints. Storms finished the day with a game-high seven saves as both teams posted 14 shots.

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