Utica, NY (9/6/13)- The Utica College field hockey team looks to continue its strong play as it prepares for a two game set this weekend.  On Friday, the Pioneers will travel to Morrisville State for a match up against the Mustangs.  On Sunday, UC returns to Charles A. Gaetano Stadium for its 2013 home opener.  Game times are 7 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. 

Last Time Out: The Pioneers are coming off a two-game sweep at the St. Lawrence Invitational last weekend… On Saturday, they downed Cedar Crest College 8-1, before topping St. Lawrence 3-1 on Sunday… Junior Chasity Eckert (Afton, NY/Afton Central) and freshman Emily Gascon (Chenango Forks, NY/Greene) each registered five points on the weekend. 

Game Coverage: Live video for all home games is available at empire8.tv… Links for live stats for Sunday's contest are available on the Pioneers schedule page at www.ucpioneers.com… Utica College's student radio station WPNR 90.7 FM will be broadcasting the game and live streaming audio of the contest can be accessed at www.utica.edu/wpnr.

Keep 'Em Coming: The Pioneers tallied 11 goals in their opening two games… Seven different players scored at least one goal including Eckert, Gascon, Hannah Mackey (Locke, NY/Moravia Central), Jessica Franklin (Delevan, NY/Pioneer), Adriana Surprenant (Utica, NY/New York Mills Jr-Sr High), Becki Vivaqua and Colleen Dowling (Fairport, NY/Fairport)… Senior Lindsay James (Newry, ME/Tellstar Regional) and freshman Jenna Dunne have also gotten on the scoresheet, with one assist each.

Home Sweet Home: The Pioneers went 11-3 at home last season, while outscoring opponents 48-22 on their home turf… Two of Utica's home wins included a 4-3  win over Stevens Institute of Technology in the Empire 8 Conference Championship, and a 4-1 victory over Endicott College in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Big D: The Utica defense has shut the door so far this season, allowing just five shots on goal through two games…  Last season, the Pioneers allowed 7.8 shots on goal per game and gave up just 1.76 goals per game.

Scouting Morrisville:  The Mustangs are 0-1 on the season and coming off a 2-1 overtime loss at Wells… Last year Utica defeated Morrisville 8-1 at home… Five different players scored for UC including Alaina Stojkovski (Liverpool, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse), Jessica Franklin (Delevan, NY/Pioneer), and Chasity Eckert (Afton, NY/Afton Central) who tallied two goals apiece as well as Louise Steele-Norton (Avondale, PA/Millbrook School), and Hannah Mackey (Locke, NY/Moravia Central). 

Scouting U of R: The Yellow Jackets were ranked No. 18 in the NFHCA preseason coaches poll… They are 3-0 so far and coming off a 7-2 win over Nazareth on Wednesday… U of R is led by Michelle Relin, who has totaled eight points through three games… Last year Utica defeated Rochester 2-1 in overtime with the help of two goals form Louise Steele-Norton (Avondale, PA/Millbrook School) and six saves from net minder Kells Casey (Sandwich, MA/Kimball Union Academy). 

Looking Ahead: The Pioneers travel to nearby Clinton, NY to take on cross-town rival, Hamilton College, on Wednesday… Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.