Utica, NY – The Utica College women's soccer team will be at home on Saturday to face off against E8 opponent Houghton. This conference matchup is scheduled to kick-off at 3 p.m. at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.
 
Last Time Out: UC's last contest ended in a 4-0 loss to conference foe Nazareth. Goalkeeper Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) was able to make 15 saves in the contest for the Pioneers. The loss dropped the team's record down to 3-5-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play so far this season.
 
Coliseum Day: The Pioneers will welcome the members of the Coliseum Soccer Club, a local youth premier soccer club, at Saturday's game. Utica players will be joined by members of the club for an international style walkout prior to player introductions. Players from the Coliseum Soccer Club will also put on a scrimmage for the fans at halftime of the contest.
 
Empire 8 Schedule: Now that conference play has begun, every game is important in making a run towards the Empire 8 Tournament. Looking at the schedule, UC has only one non-conference game left to play and that's at home against Hamilton College on October 11^th. With every E8 contest having an impact in the standings, the team will have to put forth its best efforts for the rest of the season to get the Pioneers back to the conference tournament for the first time since 2007.
 
Statistical Leaders: Senior Keri Berkowitz (Racine, WI/Racine Saint Catherine's) is leading the team and is second in the Empire 8 with her total of three assists. Berkowitz ranks tenth while teammate Jenna Mazza (Frankfort, NY/Sauquoit Valley) is fifth in the conference in total shots taken. Goalkeeper Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) is tied for first in the E8 with four shutouts so far this season. Wagner is also ranked first with 78 saves in net and owns the third best save percentage of .876. Abby Reilly (Brookfield, NY/Brookfield) is the team's leading goal scorer, as she has tallied three at this point of the year.
 
Scouting Houghton: The Highlanders currently own a record of 2-4-1 overall and 0-1-1 in the Empire 8. In Houghton's last contest against conference opponent Alfred, the game ended in a 0-0 tie after the two overtime periods. Houghton's goalkeeper, Sadie Dunnett, recorded the shutout to go along with her six saves in net. Nikki Garns and Meagan Barry lead the team in goals, notching two scores each this season. Dunnett has been the starting goalie for the team, tallying 32 total saves this season.
 
Against Houghton: The last matchup between these two teams was played last season, at Houghton. The double overtime game resulted in a 0-0 tie for the conference opponents. During the contest, Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) made 13 saves and recorded the first shutout of her collegiate goalie career. The Pioneers have yet to defeat the Highlanders since they joined the Empire 8.
 
Looking Ahead: UC will be on the road for its next contest, facing-off against E8 rival St. John Fisher. The game is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 7^th.