UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's lacrosse team cruised to a 15-2 Empire 8 Conference victory over visiting Alfred University on Saturday afternoon at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.  The Pioneers jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first half and they held the Saxons to just two second half goals in the victory.

Utica's Morgan DuPont (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) totaled six points on two goals and four assists to pace the Pioneers and she now has 13 points in her last two games played. Junior Briana Estabrook (Tully, NY/Tully ) totaled a career-high three goals while senior Megan Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) added three goals of her own. All three of Estabrook's goals came in the final 9:42 of the first half. Kane now has a team-best 40 points this season (32 goals, eight assists).  

The Pioneers have now won three straight games and improved to 7-3 overall and 2-1 in the Empire 8. Alfred's record moved to 2-6 overall and 0-4 in E8 play.

Utica's Rebecca Plunkett (Kings Park, NY/Kings Park) added two goals and one assist to go along with a career-high eight ground balls and five draw controls. Patricia Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville), Xiomara Rodriguez (Bay Shore, NY/Brentwood) and Tewasherake Barnes (Akwesasne, NY/Salmon River) added one goal and one assist each for the Pioneers.

Courtney Wheeler (Ava, NY/Rome Free Academy) and Brooke Miller (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) each added one goal as well.  Wheeler added five ground balls and three draw controls while Maggie Notter (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes) chipped in with a season-high three ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Kaitlyn Button netted both of the Saxon goals.  UC managed to hold the visitors scoreless until there was just 1:39 left in regulation. Button then scored both of her goals in a span of 59 seconds.  

Kells Casey (Sandwich, MA/Kimball Union Academy), Erin Jacobson (Staten Island, NY/Curtis) and Anastacia Faso (Walden, NY/Valley Central) each posted two saves a piece for the Pioneers.

Shannon Gray made 10 saves in net for Alfred. Utica outshot the visitors 36-10 and earned a 37-16 advantage in the ground ball category. Utica also won 15-of-19 draw controls.

Utica turns right back around on Sunday and takes on visiting Nazareth College in Empire 8 play at 1 p.m.