UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's lacrosse team defeated host Elmira College 20-11 in Empire 8 Conference action Saturday. Freshman Brooke Miller (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) netted a career-high eight points on seven goals and one assist. Senior Megan Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) added three goals and four assists for the Pioneers.

UC has now won four of its last five games and improved to 8-4 overall on the season. The Pioneers are also 3-2 in Empire 8 play this season.  Elmira's record moved to 2-12 and 1-6 in the E8.

Five players scored at least two goals for the Pioneers including Miller (seven), Megan Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) (three), Patricia Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) (three), Courtney Wheeler (Ava, NY/Rome Free Academy) (two) and Morgan DuPont (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) (two).

The Pioneers jumped out to a convincing 8-2 lead in the first 18:11 of the contest and never looked back.  UC led 13-7 at the half and outscored the home team 7-4 in the final 30 minutes to register the nine goal victory.

Utica's Kells Casey (Sandwich, MA/Kimball Union Academy) and Erin Jacobson (Staten Island, NY/Curtis) combined for seven saves between the pipes for the Pioneers. 

Utica's Rebecca Plunkett (Kings Park, NY/Kings Park) added three draw controls and one goal while Melissa Koch (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) also added a goal for the Pioneers.  Megan Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) recorded four draw controls and three caused turnovers. 

Marissa Mongillo and Ashton Hogan led the Soaring Eagles with four goals each.

Utica outshot the Soaring Eagles 30-27 on the day and also won the draw control battle 17-16.  Elmira's Lindsay Wargo stopped eight shots in the loss.
Utica returns to action on the road Sunday when the Pioneers take on host St. John Fisher College in a key conference contest at 12 p.m.