Box Score Utica 10, Keuka 9 -
Box Score
Utica, NY – The Utica College women's lacrosse team fended off a late Keuka rally to earn a 10-9 victory Wednesday as the Pioneers blemished the visiting Storm's perfect record in non conference action at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The Storm was a perfect 9-0 headed into today's contest before the Pioneers jumped out to a 5-2 first half lead, and despite allowing seven second half goals, the home team still managed a one goal victory. Senior
Maria Santucci (Holliston, MA/Marian) led the way for Utica with three goals and two assists, while freshman
Samantha Gebler (Vestal, NY/Vestal) registered a career-best four assists to help Utica snap a three game slide.
The Pioneers, who were playing in their final home game of the regular season, improved to 6-5 overall and they will hit
the road for four consecutive contests beginning with a trip to Empire 8 rival Alfred on Saturday at 1 p.m. Keuka (9-1), which had not been tested since a slim 11-9 victory over Roberts Wesleyan at the beginning of the month, will return to action on Saturday when it hosts North East Athletic Conference rival Morrisville.
The visitors stormed out to a 2-1 lead in the first 4:38 of play behind a goal each from Taylor Smith and Kay Kostuk. The Pioneers answered with six consecutive tallies in a span of 27:42 to take a five goal advantage, 7-2, at the 22:56 ledger of the second half. Five different players scored for Utica in the run, including two from Santucci and one each from
Julia Primps (Ossining, NY/Ossining),
Megan Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville),
Katlyn Banker (Henrietta, NY/Rush-Henrietta) and
Janet Campo (Centerport, NY/Harborfields).
Keuka began to crawl back in the contest at the 20:50 marker when Jennifer Burt netted her 20th goal of the season, but UC's
Patricia Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) was able to find the net just over three minutes later to give the Pioneers their five goal lead right back, 8-3, with 17:35 left in regulation.
The Storm scored six of the game's next eight goals to make it a one goal contest with 1:37 left on the game clock. Jennifer Burt scored three of the visitors six goals and Kostuk added two of her own in the span of 12 minutes.
Patricia Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) and Santucci were able to sandwich goals in between the Keuka onslaught to help preserve the Pioneers lead.
UC was able to gain possession in the final 1:37 and hung on for its sixth win of the year. Senior goalie
Shelby Barbay (Waterloo, NY/Waterloo) stopped nine shots as she won her sixth game of the season. Keuka net minder Molly Hogan stopped 16 shots but it was not enough as the Pioneers sent the Storm back home with their first loss of the year.
Katlyn Banker (Henrietta, NY/Rush-Henrietta) finished the day with two goals and a team-best five draw controls for the Pioneers. Banker now has a team-high 34 goals this season. Freshman
Patricia Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) also added two goals and caused a team-best four turnovers.
Keuka was led by a six point performance from Jennifer Burt, and Kay Kostuk also chipped in with three goals.
--- www.ucpioneers.com ---
