UTICA, NY – The Utica College field hockey team caged three second half goals on its way to a convincing 3-0 victory over visiting Elmira College in Empire 8 Conference play on senior day Saturday at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.  Junior Melissa Koch (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) registered a career-high two goals on the afternoon, while senior Rachael Scaramuzzino (Utica, NY/Whitesboro) made her final game at Gaetano count as she knocked home the final goal of the contest.

Utica's record moved to 5-12 overall and 4-4 in Empire 8 play.  Elmira's record advanced to 2-12 overall and the Soaring Eagles remain winless at 0-7 in E8 play. 
Before the start of Saturday's contest, Utica recognized its two graduating seniors Rachael Scaramuzzino (Utica, NY/Whitesboro) and Sara Hennessey (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) for their contributions to the program over the course of their time at UC.

After a scoreless first half of play on the wet and windy turf at Gaetano Stadium, the Pioneers got on the board when Koch registered her first goal of the season, assisted by Scaramuzzino, at 47:19 to hand the Pioneers a 1-0 advantage.  Koch caught fire and caged her second goal of the evening just over ten minutes later to give Utica a 2-0 lead.  Koch's second goal was assisted by Brittany Evans (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) at 57:55.

Scaramuzzino capped the scoring with her team-best sixth goal of the year, assisted by Tiffany Evans (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa), with less than four minutes to go in the contest.

Utica outshot the visitors 21-5 on the afternoon and earned a 9-4 penalty corner advantage.

Utica goalie Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) stopped four shots in her third shutout of the season. 

The Pioneers return to action at the University of Rochester next Sunday when they take on the Yellow Jackets to wrap up their 2016 campaign at 1 p.m.