UTICA, NY- The Utica College field hockey team begins its quest to make it back to the NCAA Tournament as it embarks on the 2016 campaign this weekend at the St. Lawrence Tournament. The Pioneers will take on Oneonta (1:30 p.m.) on Saturday before wrapping up the weekend against New Paltz on Sunday (11 a.m.).
RECENT SUCCESS: Utica has won three Empire 8 Conference titles in the last four years and advanced as far as the NCAA "Sweet Sixteen" in 2012 and 2013… Since 2012, four players have earned All-American status.
LEADING THE WAY: Two of the top three scorers from last season are back to lead the offense… Sophomore
Rylee Meelan (Clinton, NY/Clinton) had a standout rookie season in which she led the team with eight goals and 17 points… Senior
Meghan McCormick (Ava, NY/RFA) finished third on the squad in scoring with six goals and four assists.
VETERAN LEADERSHIP: Utica returns 20 players from last year's roster, including eight starters… Seniors
Meghan McCormick (Ava, NY/RFA),
Rachael Scaramuzzino (Utica, NY/Whitesboro),
Tori Couture (Auburn, ME/Edward Little ), and
Sara Hennessey (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) look to end their careers on a high note, while juniors
Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich),
Melissa Koch (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa),
Madison Williams (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent),
Jordan Noga (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro),
Alexandrya Pope (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer),
Gianna Cavalier (Northport, NY/Commack ), and
Nicole Kamens (Danvers, MA/Danvers) will add to the upperclassmen leadership… Sophomores
Jessica Belt (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder),
Brittany Evans (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa),
Tiffany Evans (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa),
Rebecca Kauffman (Mount Joy, PA/Linden Hall),
Madison Babicz (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford),
Alison Eaton (Cincinnatus, NY/Marathon),
Paige Mapley (Meridan, NY/Cato-Meridan),
Carly Tebolt (Wappingers, NY/Roy C Ketcham), and Meelan will look to have bigger roles this year with one season under their belt.
NEWCOMERS: Utica welcomes eight new faces to the team this year including sophomore
Christie Torres (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls), and freshmen
Josie Sgarlata (Canastota, NY/Canastota),
Joanna Gaertner (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville),
Fiona Shea (East Greebush, NY/East Greenbush),
Morgan Gerber (Camden, NY/Camden),
Makenzie Stevens (New York Mills, NY/New York Mills),
Alyssa Bell (Phoenix, NY/Baldwinsville), and
Ricki Haab (Stowe, VT/Stowe).
SCOUTING ONEONTA: The Red Dragons finished the 2015 season with a 5-13 overall record… Oneonta returns leading scorer Allyson Wells, who totaled 24 points on 11 goals and two assists one year ago… Utica is 1-4 against Oneonta in the last five years, with three games being decided by just one goal… Last season, the Pioneers topped the Red Dragons 2-1 in double overtime thanks to goals from
Rebecca Kauffman (Mount Joy, PA/Linden Hall) and
Brittany Evans (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa).
SCOUTING NEW PALTZ: The Hawks have won the last four SUNYAC championships and are currently "Receiving votes" in the NFHCA Preseason Coaches Poll… Utica has dropped its last two meetings against New Paltz, falling 4-2 in 2014 and 4-1 at home last season.
LOOKING AHEAD: Utica will open up Empire 8 Conference play at Ithaca College next Saturday… Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
