POTSDAM, NY – The Utica College women's soccer team dropped a 3-1 decision in its season opener against Clarkson University in the North Country Classic on Friday night.  Utica's Ciara McIlvenny (Pleasant Valley, NY/Arlington) netted the lone goal of the evening for the Pioneers, assisted by Keri Berkowitz (Racine, WI/Racine Saint Catherine's).

Utica (0-1) returns to action on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. when it squares off against St. Lawrence University on the final day of the tournament.

The Pioneers fell into an early 1-0 hole but responded right away when McIlvenny rocketed a shot to the lower right corner of the net from the top of the box to knot the score at 1-1 less than ten minutes into the contest. 

Utica stood its ground for the remainder of the half and took the contest into the final 45 minutes tied at 1-1.

Clarkson responded with the opening goal 14:10 into the second half and never looked back. Lauren Flynn finished the game with two goals and one assist for Clarkson, while Camryn Careccia added an insurance tally for the Golden Knights with a goal in the 84^th minute.

Jamie Enders (Cazenovia, NY/Cazenovia) and Kimberly Beattie (Levitton, NY/Division Ave) each split time in net for the Pioneers.  Enders got the start and stopped four shots in the first half of action, allowing just one goal.  Beattie came on in the second half and stopped two shots.