Utica, NY (1-8-14) – The Utica College men and women swim and dive teams return to action Saturday, following a three-week winter break hiatus, as it visits Alfred University for an Empire 8 Conference match … The contest will be held at the James A McLane Center Physical Education Center and is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.

Pioneer Women Look to Get Back on Track

The UC women are currently 2-6 overall including a 0-4 record away from home… After losing four straight to open up the season, the women strung together two consecutive wins in early November again Cazenovia and Wells … However, Utica fell upon hard times again dropping two more matches versus Caz and Skidmore to wrap up the 2013 calendar year … UC has 10 on the roster of which seven are freshman and sophomores but have fought hard through the first half of the season and look for improved success moving forward … Senior Jordan Hess (Victor, NY/Victor Senior ) rejoins the squad looking to make a solid finish to her collegiate career while first-year new additions Corey Brouwer and Mikey Maxwell (Newport, NY/West Canada) have had an immediate impact and strive to continue their impressive freshman campaigns.

UC Men Look for Win No. 5

The Pioneer men are on their way to one of the best seasons in recent years as they occupy a 4-3 overall record … UC recently had a three-match winning streak snapped losing to Skidmore, 169-121, back in late November … Utica's four victories came against Cazenovia as it sweep the Wildcats in three matches by an average of 57 points while downing Wells College by 42 points, 131-89 … The squads three losses came at the hands off the College of Saint Rose, Hartwick, and Skidmore … Sophomore Raphael Warnon and the deep junior class including Kaleb Bright, Anthony Farber, Colin Hart, Tyler Hickey and Omar Renta have been guiding the men's squad and are set to return to action.

Scouting the Saxons

The Alfred women's swim and dive team currently has an overall record of 2-3 including an 0-1 mark in the Empire 8 while the men's squad is 2-2 overall and 1-0  in conference play … At the Ithaca Invitational in early December, the women placed 11th out of 12 teams whereas the men finished middle of the pack in seventh … AU opened up the season in conference play at Nazareth where the women were defeated, 128-106, while the Saxon men beat the Golden Flyers, 131-99 … Both teams beat the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford back in early November however lost to RIT and Fredonia State University … The women also lost to William Smith in a heads-up match in Geneva, NY.

Back to the Friendly Confines

Following Saturday's contest, UC will return home next weekend as it plays host to Clarkson University in a heads-up non-conference match … The competition is set for Saturday Jan. 11th and will take place at the Utica College Pool in the Clark Athletic Center