Elmira, NY – The Utica College field hockey team was on the road Saturday, for an Empire 8 matchup with Elmira. The Pioneers improved to 7-6 overall and 4-3 in E8 competition, as they walked away with a 4-0 victory.
 
UC took a 1-0 lead in the first half, as Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) scored the first goal of the contest. Sydney Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) was credited with the assist on the play. Neither team found the back of the net for the rest of the half, keeping the score 1-0 at halftime.
 
Early on in the second half, Ricki Haab (Stowe, VT/Stowe) found teammate Josie Sgarlata (Canastota, NY/Canastota) for the second score of the game. Shortly after, UC took a 3-0 lead thanks to Jessica Belt (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder)'s goal with the assist going to Melissa Koch (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa). Freshman Hannah Nordstrom (Fairhaven, MA/Fairhaven) was able to record her first collegiate career goal to make the score 4-0, coming off of a Joanna Gaertner (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville) assist.
 
Utica goalie Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) earned the shutout, making eight saves on the day. Sydney Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) contributed defensively with one defensive save in the win. Elmira's Tina O'Donnell tallied seven saves while in net for the team.
 
UC outshot its opponent 20-10 in the game and drew 13 penalty corners compared to Elmira's four.
 
The Pioneers return to action on Wednesday for a non-conference meeting with SUNY Geneseo. The game will be played on the road, beginning at 5 p.m.