UTICA, NY- The Utica College field hockey team lost a heartbreaker Saturday afternoon as it fell to visiting Washington & Jefferson 2-1 in Empire 8 Conference action.
 
Utica (6-5) is now 3-3 in the conference and will wrap up league play in a crucial game next Saturday at Elmira College.  Washington & Jefferson, meanwhile picked up its sixth straight win and remains unbeaten in the E8 with a 4-0 record.
 
Despite Utica controlling the majority of play in the first 10 minutes, it was the Presidents who struck first at 9:42 as Jenna Jaworski put in a loose ball in front for her third of the year.  Utica responded six minutes later as Josie Sgarlata (Canastota, NY/Canastota) netted her second of the of the season, off an assist from Maria Orsino (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit).  Orsino took an insert from Madison Williams (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent) off the penalty corner and dished it to Sgarlata who beat W&J goalie Karlie Baran.
 
W&J scored the only goal of the second half as Rachel Buyan found the back of the net off a penalty corner for her seventh of the year. Utica threatened in the final two minutes, but was not able to net the equalizer.
 
Senior Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) made six save sin net, while Baran had five saves in the win. 
 
The Pioneers return to action Sunday as they host SUNY Cortland for Utica's senior day.  Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m.