UTICA, NY- The Utica College field hockey team improved to 3-0 to start the year as it downed visiting Ithaca College 3-1 in non-conference action under the lights Wednesday evening at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.
 
The last time the Pioneers started the season with three straight wins was in 2013 when UC finished 17-5 en route to its second straight Empire 8 Conference title and NCAA "Sweet Sixteen" appearance. 
 
After a scoreless first half, the game opened up at 50:25 as senior Madison Williams (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent) netted her first goal of the year.  Williams inserted the ball off a penalty corner to the top of the arc.  After some good ball movement by the Pioneers, the ball popped out in front to Williams who fired a shot on goal.  Ithaca keeper Savanna Lenker got a piece of it, but it bounced over her and barely crept over the goal line to put UC up 1-0. Sophomore Josie Sgarlata (Canastota, NY/Canastota) picked up an assist on the goal.    
 
The Bombers responded just 54 seconds later as Michaela Donohue buried a centering feed between the legs of Utica goalie Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) for her team-leading third tally of the year.
 
It was short lived, however, as the Pioneers regained the lead just 1:09 later as sophomore Joanna Gaertner (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville) netted her second of the season, off a pass from freshman Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich).  After another great passing play down low, Whitehouse ended up with the ball just to the left of the goal.  She pulled the defender towards her then slid a pass to Gaertner who fired into the yawning cage.
 
UC tacked on an insurance tally at the 61-minute mark as senior Melissa Koch (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) gathered a loose ball in front and fired it home for her second in as many games.  Jessica Belt (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder) was credited with an assist on the play. 
 
The Pioneers outshot the Bombers 27-11 on the day and held a 17-4 advantage in penalty corners.  Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) had another impressive showing in net, turning away eight shots, while Lenker finished with 16 saves for Ithaca.
 
UC returns to action on Saturday as it opens up Empire 8 Conference play at home against Nazareth College.  Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.