Utica, NY- The Utica College field hockey team remains home on Wednesday as it hosts RPI in non-conference action.  Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
LAST TIME OUT: Sophomore Rylee Meelan (Clinton, NY/Clinton) netted a career-high three goals, but it was not enough as the Utica College field hockey team dropped a heartbreaker, 4-3, in overtime to visiting Kean University Sunday evening… Melissa Koch (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa), Jessica Belt (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder), and Gianna Cavalier (Northport, NY/Commack ) each had one assist… Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) made seven saves in the loss.
 
MEELAN HEATING UP: After being held scoreless for the first three games of the season, sophomore Rylee Meelan (Clinton, NY/Clinton) exploded for three goals, including the game-tying tally with less than seven minutes remaining to force overtime against Kean… Meelan was tied for the team lead in points last season (17) and led the squad with eight goals in her freshman campaign.
 
HELPING OUT: Four other players have contributed points through the first four games… Sophomore Jessica Belt (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder) is second on the squad with three points (one goal, two assists), while Melissa Koch (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) and Tiffany Evans (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) each have two points… Gianna Cavalier (Northport, NY/Commack ) rounds out the field with one assist.
 
IN THE NET: Junior Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) leads the Empire 8 with 51 saves and 12.75 saves per game… She is also second in the conference with a .797 save percentage and she ranks sixth in goals against average (3.22). 
 
SCOUTING RPI: The Engineers are 2-2 on the season after dropping two one-goal games to Hartwick and Kean… RPI picked up wins over Mount Holyoke and Hamilton College… Junior Megan Jones leads the team with five points (one goal, three assists), while Taylor Clink and Nessa Costa each have two goals… Sophomore Rachel Kaufman has compiled a 1.33 goals against average and .818 save percentage.
 
AGAINST THE ENGINEERS: UC is 8-7 all-time against RPI… Last year, the Pioneers fell 3-1… The home team has won three of the last four meeting between the two teams. 
 
LOOKING AHEAD: UC continues its five-game home stretch this weekend as it welcomes St. John Fisher College for an Empire 8 Conference match up… Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.