Box Score Utica, NY (11/3/12)- The Utica College field hockey team downed the number three seed, St. John Fisher College, 3-1, in the semifinal of the Empire 8 Tournament at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium Saturday afternoon. Sophomore
Alaina Stojkovski (Liverpool, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) had four points on the day, including the game-winner to lead the Pioneers. This is the first time Utica has advanced to the conference tournament championship in program history.
Sophomore stand out
Louise Steele-Norton (Avondale, PA/Millbrook School) got things going for UC just under nine minutes into the game as she netted her conference-leading 23rd goal of the season. Steele-Norton received a pass from Stojkovski 15 yards out and was able to run around the Fisher keeper and drive a backhander into the net to put the Pioneers up 1-0.
Just four minutes later, Stojkoski added a tally of her own as she ran down the left side of the field. Right before the end line, she ut towards the goal and was somehow able to sneak the ball inside the near post to put UC on top 2-0. Stojkovki's unassisted goal was her seventh of the season.
Utica closed out the first half scoring in the 28th minute as freshman
Olivia Plaisted (Hampden, ME/Hampden Academy) put in her first career goal. After UC was awarded a penalty corner, Stojkovski put a low shot on net. The ball bounced around in front of the net before Plaisted was able to control it and drive it home.
St. John Fisher was finally able to get on the board with five minutes remaining, but Utica goal keeper
Kells Casey (Sandwich, MA/Kimball Union Academy) shut the door the rest of the game. The Pioneer defense had a strong game, allowing just three shots on goal the entire 70 minutes.
The Cardinals end their season with a 6-12 record in the program's second year.
Utica (13-5) will take on the #1 seed, Stevens Institute of Technology(13-6) for the Empire 8 Conference Championship and an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament. UC is 2-5 against the Ducks dating back to 2006. The Pioneers have handed Stevens its only two regular season losses in the last five years. Game time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
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