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Utica, NY (2/27/13)- The Utica College women's lacrosse team kicks off its season Saturday looking to battle for the coveted Empire 8 Championship and an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament. 

UC tied the school record for wins last season, after finishing 8-7 overall and 3-4 in the always-competitive Empire 8 Conference.  The Pioneers lost four seniors to graduation, including All-Conference selection Maria Santucci (Holliston, MA/Marian), and All-Region members Katlyn Banker (Henrietta, NY/Rush-Henrietta) and Shelby Barbay (Waterloo, NY/Waterloo).  Barbay was a three-time all-Conference member and was named E8 Goalie of the Year twice. She wrapped up her four-year career as the college's all-time leader in saves (548) and wins (26) and was second in saves per game (9.96). 
Banker concluded her career ranked second all-time in assists (48), third in points (149) and assists per game (.86), fourth in caused turnovers (64) and fifth in goals (101).

Up front, Utica will rely on sophomores Samantha Gebler (Vestal, NY/Vestal) and Morgan DuPont (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) to lead the Pioneer attack.  Gebler finished second on the team in scoring last year after collecting 31 points on 16 goals and 15 assists.  DuPont had 15 points last season, and has shown improvement in practice so far this year. 

Sophomores Megan Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) and Patricia Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) will be called upon to hunker down the midfield.  Patricia leads all returners after netting 18 goals last year, Megan was right behind her sister with 16 goals and 21 points in her freshman campaign.  Megan is also the only returning All-Conference selection after earning first team status last season.  Head Coach Kristin St. Hilaire, who is entering her sixth season at the helm, is also anticipating freshman Courtney Wheeler (Ava, NY/Rome Free Academy) to fill in nicely in the midfield.

Senior captain Lauren Gilmore (Marshfield, MA/Marshfield) and juniors Jennifer Rogaski (Schenectady, NY/Colonie Central) and Keala King (St. Albans, VT/Bellows Free Academy) will guide the defensive unit.  The trio started all but one game together last season and will provide leadership to sophomore Kelly Stuhlman (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and freshman Lisa Howden (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran).

In goal, senior Stephanie Belanger (Lewiston, ME/Lewiston) will look to step up and fill the void left by the loss of Barbay.  Belanger played in three games last season, while compiling a 3.38 goals against average. 

The Pioneers welcome nine freshmen to the squad.  Along with Wheeler and Howden, Tori Couture (Auburn, ME/Edward Little ), Mackenzie Roy (Clinton, NY/Clinton), Colleen Dowling (Fairport, NY/Fairport), Briana Estabrook (Tully, NY/Tully ), Mary Morgan Marafino (Monroe, NY/Central Square), Anastacia Faso (Walden, NY/Valley Central), and Erin Jacobson (Staten Island, NY/Curtis) will also be making their collegiate debut this season. 

Utica opens up league play Saturday, March 30 as it hosts Hartwick College.  Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.



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