UTICA, NY- The Utica College field hockey team cruised to a 4-0 non-conference victory over visiting SUNY Brockport Wednesday afternoon at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.  Four different players scored for UC in the win.
 
After nearly a full half of scoreless action, senior Colleen Dowling (Fairport, NY/Fairport) broke the deadlock with her second goal of the year, with just 40 seconds remaining in the half.  Dowling took a pass from Jessica Smith (Vernon, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) off a penalty corner, ran in five yards while deking defenders, and fired a low shot inside the far left post to give Utica the 1-0 lead. 
 
The Pioneers exploded for three goals in the second half, starting out with a score by freshman Jessica Belt (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder), her first career goal, at 38:52.  Belt took a centering feed from junior Meghan McCormick (Ava, NY/RFA) and shot a high ball over the goalie to put UC up 2-0.
 
Just under nine minutes later, freshman twins Brittany Evans (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) and Tiffany Evans (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) connected on a beautiful passing play to add to the Utica cushion.  Tiffany placed a perfect feed across the front of the goal to Brittany, who fired into the open net before the keeper could get across, marking her second tally of the year.
 
McCormick capped off the scoring in the 63rd minute as she ripped home a shot off a Jessica Smith (Vernon, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) corner for her fourth of the year.  McCormick finished the day as Utica's scoring leader with three points, while Smith added two assists.
 
Sophomore Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) had a quiet day in net as she stopped one shot in the shutout victory. 
 
The Pioneers (4-8) look to keep the momentum going as they host Washington & Jefferson College in Empire 8 Conference play on Saturday.  Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.