Utica, NY (2/27/14)- The Utica College women's lacrosse team opens up its season this weekend looking to contend for a spot in the always-competitive Empire 8 Conference tournament.

The 2013 edition of the Pioneers tied the program-record for wins in a single season with nine and they barely missed out on a bid to the Empire 8 Conference tournament.  As a team they registered 238 points, good for second all-time on the school's single season list, including 163 goals (third all-time).  75 total assists ranks second at UC, as does 416 total shot attempts.  The Pioneers averaged 12 caused turnovers per game (third all-time) and the defense set a new school-record with a 7.67 goals against average.

"Nine wins [last year] was great, however we didn't make the playoffs," said Head Coach Kristin St. Hilaire, who is in her seventh season at the helm.  "We want to be playing in the post season.  We want to be playing in May, that is our goal.  We've talked about that since day one.  That's where our sights are set right now and I really don't think we will be satisfied until we are playing in the post season."

UC returns four all-conference selections from last season including senior Jennifer Rogaski (Schenectady, NY/Colonie Central), and juniors Megan Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville), Morgan DuPont (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) and Patricia Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville). 

Rogaski was a first-team All-Conference selection last season after causing a career-high 20 caused turnovers to go along with 21 ground balls, and one goal in 15 games played. She helped lead the defensive unit that set the new school-standard in goals against average. Rogaski has now played in 41 career games and has totaled 51 ground balls and 37 caused turnovers.

"On the defensive end, our senior captain Jennifer Rogaski (Schenectady, NY/Colonie Central) is going to be a big factor for us, as well as Keala King (St. Albans, VT/Bellows Free Academy).  They are two seniors who have played and gotten a lot of experience over the last few years and they are our anchors on the back end," said St. Hilaire. 

Megan Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville), a two-time All-Conference selection, is Utica's active leader in points (64) and goals (56).  Last year she netted a career-high 40 goals and added three assists en route to being named second-team All-Conference.   She also tied the single-season record with four game winning goals and had a team-high 23 caused turnovers.  "She's big in transition, she seems to always be open.  She finds that open spot, she finds her teammates.  And certainly on the attacking end, she does a great job for us.  She was our leading goal scorer last year.  And then defensively she's a big leader for us as well, typically shutting down the opposing team's top attackers," claimed St. Hilaire. 

St. Hilaire also praised Morgan DuPont (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) and Patricia Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville). "On the attacking end, we'll be looking to Trish and Morgan.  Again, they are some seasoned veterans who have made an impact since they came in as freshmen.  They help the flow of our offense and are really kind of our quarterbacks down there. "

DuPont is coming off her best season as she totaled 45 points on 24 goals and a school-record-tying 21 assists in her sophomore campaign.  She scored at least one point in 14-of-15 games last season.  Over her first two seasons, she has averaged 2.00 points per contest, with 60 career points (30 goals, 30 assists) in 30 games played.  She currently ranks eighth on the College's career assist list. Patricia Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) was Utica's representative for Sportswoman of the Year after scoring a career-high 20 goals and adding two assists.

Also returning to help out the attack are Louise Steele-Norton (Avondale, PA/Millbrook School) and Courtney Wheeler (Ava, NY/Rome Free Academy), who each scored 21 goals last year.  Wheeler was also second on the team with 17 assists, while Steele-Norton had five helpers.

Helping out Rogaski on defense will be senior Keala King (St. Albans, VT/Bellows Free Academy) and sophomore Lisa Howden (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran).  King started 11-of-12 games played last year while causing eight turnovers and scooping up seven ground balls.  Howden started all 15 games, while forcing seven turnovers, collecting seven ground balls, and helped the Pioneer defense allow a school-record 7.67 goals against per game. 

The Pioneers welcome six new faces to the squad in freshmen Jackie Gould (Baldwinsville, NY/Baldwinsville), Xiomara Rodriguez (Bay Shore, NY/Brentwood), Amanda Chruscicki (Utica, NY/Whitesboro), Tewasharake Barnes, Rebecca Plunkett (Kings Park, NY/Kings Park), and Maggie Notter (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes).

UC kicks off the season Saturday afternoon as it hosts Oswego State.  Game time is set for 3 p.m.



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