Utica, NY (9/20/12)- The Utica College women's soccer team opens up Empire 8 play Saturday, as it welcomes Alfred University to Charles. A. Gaetano Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Watch it Live: Live stats and video for Saturday's contest are available at www.ucpioneers.com… Live video can be seen at www.empire8.tv… The contest will also have live audio provided by WPNR 90.7 FM.
Last Time Out: Utica is coming off a 1-0 win over D'Youville College, Wednesday…
Samantha Spohler (East Durham, NY/Cairo Durham) netted her league-leading sixth goal of the season, while
Sarah Southwell (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) added an assist and
Caitlyn Smith (Waterville, NY/Madison) picked up her fourth shutout of the season.
Where We Sit: The Pioneers are currently 6-1 overall and off to their best start since 2007… They are averaging 2.14 goals per game, while holding opponents to just 1 goal per game… UC has also outshot opponents 69-57 on the year.
Kick Cancer: Saturday's game is part of a Utica soccer double-header featuring both the men and women's teams to help raise cancer awareness… Following the women's game, the Pioneer men face off against St. John Fisher College at 4 p.m…Fans can buy special edition pink t-shirts at the game… Youth shirts are $10 each or two for $15; adult shirts are $15 or two for $25… The teams will also be auctioning off their limited edition jerseys after the games... All the proceeds raised from the event will be donated to cancer research.
Balanced Attack: Nine different Pioneers have scored at least one goal on the season… Spohler leads the team with six goals and one assist, while Southwell has added two goals and two assists…
Samantha Matthews (Valley Falls, NY/Tamarac),
Alexandria Newton (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro),
Krystine Alvear (Ossining, NY/Ossining),
Marissa Hotaling (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro),
Jaime Hillman (Hornell, NY/Hornell),
Quinn Freeman-Roche (Putnam Valley, NY/Ursuline), and
Kati Stolz (Port Byron, NY/Union Springs) have also netted goals for UC.
Shut Down D: The Utica defensive unit, led by
Emily Brien (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee),
Caitlyn Smith (Waterville, NY/Madison),
Emily Lefebvre (Worthington, MA/Northfield Mount Hermon), and
Taylor Giglio (Utica, NY/Whitesboro), has shut down opponents this season… They have held opposing teams to just 1 goal per game so far and have four shutouts on the season.
Scouting Alfred: The Saxons are currently 4-3 overall and 0-2 in the conference… They are coming off a 2-0 loss to Elmira on Wednesday… Alfred is led by sophomore Rachel Williams who has six goals and two assists so far.
Against the Saxons: The Pioneers are 10-0 against Alfred dating back to 2002… Last year, UC downed the Saxons 3-0…
Sarah Southwell (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) led Utica with two goals.
Looking Ahead: Following this, the Pioneers take on Empire 8 rival, Elmira College on Wednesday, Sept. 26… Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Charles. A. Gaetano Stadium.
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