Box Score Utica, NY (10/13/2012) – The Utica College field hockey team kicked off homecoming weekend with a key Empire 8 Conference win, Saturday, as it downed visiting St. John Fisher College 1-0.  Junior Jessica Franklin (Delevan, NY/Pioneer) netted the contest's only goal, while freshman Kells Casey (Sandwich, MA/Kimball Union Academy) made three saves in the win.

Franklin scored her third goal of the season in the 18th minute to put the Pioneers on top.  Sophomore Alaina Stojkovski (Liverpool, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) took a shot from ten yards out.  After the ball bounced around in front of the Fisher goal, Franklin was able to gain control and put it passed Cardinal goalie Danielle Famolaro. Stojkovski picked up her team-high 11th assist on the score.

Despite only having one shot on goal in the second half, Fisher controlled most of the play. The final ten minutes were tense, but Utica was able to hold on for the win.  Famolaro had 11 saves on the day, while Casey stopped all three shots she faced to pick up her first career shutout.

The Cardinals fall to 5-9 on the season and 3-4 in the Empire 8, while Utica improves to 9-4, with a 2-3 mark in the E8.  Fisher head coach Tarah Christensen is 0-2 vs. the Pioneers since leaving UC to start the program at Fisher.

The Pioneers return to action Wednesday as they travel to Ithaca College to kick off three-game road trip.  The Empire 8 contest is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.


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