UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's lacrosse team scored seven goals in the first 18 minutes of the contest and did not let up as it cruised to a 17-7 win over visiting Houghton College in the Empire 8 Conference opener Saturday afternoon. Senior Rebecca Plunkett (Kings Park, NY/Kings Park) led the Pioneers with a team-high five goals.
 
Plunkett recorded a hat trick with three straight goals just 4:43 after the opening draw control.  The Pioneers scored four more tallies before Houghton was finally able to find the back of the net with 6:19 remaining in the first half. Utica went on to carry a 8-3 lead into halftime. 
 
UC added nine more tallies in the second half to pick up their first conference win of the season.  Sophomore Katlyn Scarpinella (South Setauket, NY/Ward Melville) also registered five points on the day with three goals and two assists. 
 
Sara Hennessey (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) had a game high four assists, and she also added two goals for the Pioneers. Brooke Miller (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) netted two goals in the second half add to Utica's lead. Noelle Capriglione (New Milford, CT/New Milford ), Rachel Gelina (Westfield, MA/Westfield), and Tewasherake Barnes (Akwesasne, NY/Salmon River) each contributed one goal in the convincing victory over the Highlanders.  Goalies Hali Vandermeulen (Walden, NY/Valley Central), Emily Holtshouser (Londonderry, NH/Londonderry), and Amanda Lupo (Auburn, NY/Skaneateles) combined for eight saves in net for UC.
 
The Pioneers return to Gaetano Stadium on Tuesday, March 28 at 4 p.m. to take on the Morrisville Mustangs.