UTICA, NY – The Utica College field hockey team dropped a tough 2-1 decision at SUNY Geneseo on Wednesday night.  The Pioneers led 1-0 early in the contest but the home team rallied with two unanswered goals, including the game-winner just 2:47 into the second half.

Utica (1-5) looks forward to opening up Empire 8 Conference play on Saturday when it travels to Elmira College as the Pioneers begin the quest for their fourth consecutive conference title.

Utica's Tori Couture (Auburn, ME/Edward Little ) netted her first goal of the season to put the Pioneers on top 1-0 when she connected on a hard shot from three yards out just under four minutes into the contest. 

Geneseo's Cara Stafford took over from that point, as she netted both of the Knights goals at 26:05 and 37:47 to secure the one goal victory.

UC goalie Kells Casey (Sandwich, MA/Kimball Union Academy) stopped 11 shots in net for the Pioneers. Utica earned a 9-7 advantage in penalty corners while Geneseo outshot the visitors 21-16.

Geneseo improved to 2-3 overall on the year.