Box Score Utica, NY (Sept. 19, 2012) – The Utica College defensive unit registered its fourth shutout of the season, as the Pioneers improved to 6-1 overall, after a 1-0 victory over visiting D'Youville College Wednesday night on the turf at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.  Junior goalie Caitlyn Smith (Waterville, NY/Madison) stopped eight shots while the Pioneers defensive unit comprised of Taylor Giglio (Utica, NY/Whitesboro), Deanna Didio (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker), Emily Lefebvre (Worthington, MA/Northfield Mount Hermon), Emily Brien (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee), Quinn Freeman-Roche (Putnam Valley, NY/Ursuline), Maddison Melley and Jaime Hillman (Hornell, NY/Hornell) played excellent all afternoon. 

The Pioneers lone goal of the evening came in the 34th minute when Samantha Spohler (East Durham, NY/Cairo Durham) drilled home her team-best sixth goal of the year into the top left corner of the goal, with her left foot from 17 yards out, to put the Pioneers on top 1-0.  Junior forward Sarah Southwell (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) delivered the helper on the eventual game-winner. 

The Spartans outshot Utica 9-7 in the second half but the UC defense stood strong in the victory.

Christina Ventresca made seven saves in net for the visiting Spartans (4-2). Utica outshot D'Youville 15-14 on the evening and the Spartans took a 5-3 advantage in corner kick opportunities (four in the second half).

The Pioneers return to the pitch on Saturday when they open up Empire 8 Conference play against Alfred University at 7 p.m.  The contest will be a part of the program's effort to “Kick Cancer”.  T-shirts will be sold throughout the men's and women's contests and all proceeds from the event will benefit cancer awareness.

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