Box Score Utica 2, Oswego 1 Box Score

Utica, NY (9/7/12)- The Utica College women's soccer team defeated Oswego State 2-1 Friday, to remain unbeaten in its 2012 campaign.  Senior Samantha Spohler (East Durham, NY/Cairo Durham) scored the game winner, while junior Caitlyn Smith (Waterville, NY/Madison) tallied a season-high 11 saves for the Pioneers.

UC got on the board just under five minutes into the contest as freshman Krystine Alvear (Ossining, NY/Ossining) netted her first collegiate goal, assisted by junior Samantha Matthews (Valley Falls, NY/Tamarac).  UC won a corner kick after putting good pressure on the Oswego goal.  Matthews centered the ball to Alvear who hit it in out of midair to put the Pioneers up 1-0.

Utica took a 2-0 lead in the 76th minute as Spohler found the back of the net.  Mathews played a long ball on goal that Oswego keeper Emily Varonier bobbled.  Spohler was there to corral the rebound and play it into the open net for her team-leading fourth goal of the season.

Oswego inched within one as freshman Bailey Waterbury scored her first goal of the season, assisted by classmate Jill Keevil.  After a scramble for a loose ball in the box, Waterbury collected it and placed it just out of reach of Smith to snap UC's shutout streak at 343 minutes.

Despite several Laker rushes, the Pioneers were able to hold on for the win and move their win streak to four.  Smith totaled a game-high 11 saves, while her counterpart, Varonier, finished with nine saves.  The Pioneers return to action next Saturday as they host RPI for a non-conference contest.  Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m.



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