Utica, NY – The Utica College women's soccer team will be at home on Wednesday for some non-conference action. The Pioneers will play host to Hamilton College, beginning at 6 p.m.
Breast Cancer Awareness: In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, UC is dedicating Wednesday's contest to breast cancer awareness. The team will be wearing pink shirts, prior to the game, to spread awareness and show support to all those affected by breast cancer. The shirts will be available for purchase, with the proceeds being donated to a local family that is currently fighting this terrible disease.
Last Time Out: In their last appearance, the Pioneers defeated E8 foe St. John Fisher, 2-1, in overtime. Freshman
Kierra Caissey (Gardner, MA/Gardner) scored her first collegiate goal in regulation, as the game was tied at 1-1 after the second half. In overtime,
Keri Berkowitz (Racine, WI/Racine Saint Catherine's) netted the game-winner to give UC its first win against Fisher since 2007 and its first conference victory of the season.
Statistical Leaders: Abby Reilly (Brookfield, NY/Brookfield) currently leads the team with her three goals scored so far this season.
Keri Berkowitz (Racine, WI/Racine Saint Catherine's) is tops on the squad with three assists, and is ranked fifth in the Empire 8 in total assists. Berkowitz (9th) and
Jenna Mazza (Frankfort, NY/Sauquoit Valley) (7th) are both top ten in the conference in shots. Goalkeeper
Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) is first in the E8 with 98 saves this season and owns the second best saves percentage of .867. Wagner also is fourth in the league with a tally of four shutouts so far this year.
Wagner Approaching Milestones: As a sophomore, goalkeeper
Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) has already recorded impressive career numbers. Wagner currently ranks top five in school history in multiple goalkeeping statistical categories for a career. She has now started 23 games in net for UC (4th all-time) and is two starts shy of moving into 3rd place in program history. Wagner's career saves per game average of 9.2 is currently 3rd in school history. With 230 career saves, she is 45 stops away from taking sole ownership of 3rd place in UC's career saves rankings. Wagner has five total shutouts for her career, which currently places her tied for 4th all-time. If she can earn two more clean sheets before the end of this season, Wagner will gain sole possession of 3rd place in career shutouts in program history.
Scouting Hamilton: The Continentals sit at a record of 5-4-2 overall and are 2-4-2 in NESCAC play. The team fell to Tufts University in its last contest, with the final score reading 2-0. Hamilton goalkeeper, Emily Dumont was able to make two saves in the game. Cat Gambino is Hamilton's leading scorer this season, recording two goals so far. Kayleigh Harris and Kristin Hughes are tied for tops on the team with two assists each. Dumont is the top goalkeeper on the squad, as she has tallied 49 saves this year and owns a saves percentage of .860.
Against Hamilton: In the last meeting between UC and Hamilton, the Continentals won at home by a score of 1-0. Hamilton's Fionn Fortune scored the lone goal of the contest, with the assist credited to Katie Kreider. Goalkeeper
Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) made 11 saves in the game, after facing a total of 43 shots. The Pioneers are looking for their first win against the Continentals since the 2009 season, when UC earned the 1-0 victory at home.
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers head on the road for an Empire 8 battle against Elmira on Saturday. The contest is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.
