Alfred, NY – The Utica College women's soccer team was on the road to face E8 opponent Alfred, in its final game of the season. UC lost by a score of 4-2, finishing the year with an overall record of 5-11-1 and a conference mark of 2-6.
 
Alfred took an early 1-0 lead, as Lexi Rifflebach scored just 2:37 into the game. Further into the first half, Rifflebach netted a second goal after getting the pass from teammate Amanda Guariglia. Just three minutes later the Pioneers answered as senior Jordynn Miller (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) notched their first score, coming from a Nora Arancio (Clinton, NY/Clinton) assist. Alfred held a 2-1 lead over Utica going into halftime.
 
Alfred's Lexi Rifflebach was able to earn the hat trick plus some, as she scored two more goals within a minute of each other in the second half. The Saxons increased their lead to 4-1, with about 20 minutes remaining in the contest. Amanda Pawlikowski (Vernon, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) was able to make the scoreboard read 4-2 with a goal in the final three minutes, but there was not enough time for UC to mount a comeback.
 
Goalkeeper Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) made five saves in the game for Utica. Alfred goalie, Sammy Jo Shanahan recorded four saves in the win.
 
The Pioneers will finish the 2017 season with an overall record of 5-11-1. UC has shown improvement, earning three more wins than last year, and aims to keep moving in the right direction.