Box Score Utica, NY (9/13/14)- The Utica College field hockey team began its quest for its third consecutive Empire 8 Conference title as it downed Hartwick College, 5-2, in the E8 opener Saturday afternoon.  Senior Alaina Stojkovski (Liverpool, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) led the Pioneers with two goals. 
 
After a scoreless first 30 minutes of action, senior Louise Steele-Norton (Avondale, PA/Millbrook School) found  the back of the net to extend her scoring streak to four games.  Classmate Hannah Mackey (Locke, NY/Moravia Central) assisted on the play.  The Hawks evened the score just under three minutes later as Maxine Dunn was able to slip the ball past Utica net minder Kells Casey (Sandwich, MA/Kimball Union Academy).  Sarah Ryan assisted on Dunn's first of the season. 
 
The Pioneers turned up the pressure in the second half as they outscored Hartwick 4-1 in the final 35 minutes.  Stojkovski netted her first goal at 43:41 as she tipped in a long shot from Colleen Dowling (Fairport, NY/Fairport) off a penalty corner.  Utica extended its lead just seven minutes later when Mackey buried a pass from Nikki Kieffer (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) for her league-leading eighth goal of the year.  The Hawks were able to get one back as Dunn scored a goal of her own, however the Utica defense shut the door the rest of the game.  
 
The Pioneers regained control of the game as they netted two goals in the final 12 minutes to seal the victory.  Senior Becki VIvacqua scored her second goal of the season, as she buried a penalty stroke into the upper left corner.  Stojkovski capped off the scoring at 66:51 as she put in her own rebound for her second tally of the day.
 
Utica outshot Hartwick 17-4 and held a 15-3 advantage in penalty corners.  Casey and freshman Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) combined for two saves, while Hartwick's Yanna Boggio made 12 saves on the day.
 
Utica improves to 3-1 on the season.  The Pioneers return to action Wednesday as they host SUNY Geneseo in non-conference action.  Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.



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