UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's lacrosse team lost to visiting Nazareth College 14-9 in Empire 8 Conference action at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Senior Rebecca Plunkett (Kings Park, NY/Kings Park) registered three goals and moved into fourth place on the College's all-time scoring list with 163 career points, surpassing current Assistant Coach Morgan Dupont. Plunkett now needs two more goals to tie Megan Kane for third on the College's all-time goal scoring list.

Brooke Miller (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) added one goal and one assist, while Katlyn Scarpinella (South Setauket, NY/Ward Melville) tied Plunkett for the team lead with three goals. Maggie Notter (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes) posted three caused turnovers and three ground balls on the defensive end for UC.

Utica's record moved to 6-7 overall and 3-4 in Empire 8 play while Nazareth improved to 9-6 overall and 5-2 in the E8.

The Pioneers partnered with the One Love Foundation throughout the contest and held a 50/50 raffle to support the foundation. The goal of the One Love Foundation is to honor Yeardley Love by bringing an end to relationship violence through education and empowerment. Yeardley Love is a former Virginia women's lacrosse player who lost her life due to relationship violence.

The Pioneers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead behind goals from Plunkett and Scarpinella before the visitors rattled off six straight goals to take a 6-2 lead with 13:18 left in the first half of play.

UC then netted three straight goals to make it a 6-5 game, but the Golden Flyers posted one more goal before the half to take a 7-5 lead into the intermission.

Naz netted four of the first five goals in the second half to earn an 11-6 lead with 18:49 left in regulation. The Pioneers were able to make it a 12-9 game, after goals from
Tewasherake Barnes (Akwesasne, NY/Salmon River) and Plunkett, with 8:53 to go, but the comeback bid fell short as Naz netted the final two goals of the game to earn the five goal victory.

Hailee Dumont also netted one goal for UC, while Sara Hennessey (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) added one assist. Utica goalie Emily Holtshouser (Londonderry, NH/Londonderry) stopped six shots for the Pioneers after coming on in relief of Hali Vandermeulen (Walden, NY/Valley Central) at the 18 minute mark of the first half.

Kate Rothrock totaled a game-high seven points on three goals and four assist for the Golden Flyers.

UC returns to action on Saturday when the Pioneers travel to Hartwick College to take on the Hawks at 1 p.m. in Empire 8 Conference play.