Utica, NY – The Utica College field hockey team is home for its Senior Day on Saturday as the team plays a key Empire 8 contest against Elmira College. The game is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
 
Last Time Out: The Pioneers got back on track with a 4-1 win over Skidmore College in their last game. Rylee Meelan (Clinton, NY/Clinton) put together a three goal performance, as UC scored four unanswered goals to improve to 5-9 overall this year. Maria Orsino (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) registered one score and an assist, while sophomore Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) made two assists in the victory. Goalie Megan Chamberlain (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) came up big with nine saves in net.
 
Senior Day: Saturday's game is marked on the schedule as Senior Day for the UC field hockey team, as the team would like to recognize each senior for their contributions to the program. This year's senior class includes: Jessica Belt (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder), Rylee Meelan (Clinton, NY/Clinton), Madison Babicz (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford), Natalie Capriglione (New Milford, CT/New Milford), Maria Orsino (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit), Paige Mapley (Meridan, NY/Cato-Meridan), and Carly Tebolt (Wappingers, NY/Roy C Ketcham). The seniors will each be honored during a short Senior Day ceremony, prior to the start of the match.
 
Winning Out: With an in-conference record of 2-3 and just three Empire 8 contests left on the schedule, every game is important for UC to have a chance at a slot in the E8 Tournament. After facing Elmira this weekend, the Pioneers will have to battle Hartwick and Nazareth to close out the regular season. Sitting in the sixth spot in the conference standings, Utica will have to win all three E8 matchups to have a chance at clinching a spot in the conference tournament.
 
Team Leaders: Rylee Meelan (Clinton, NY/Clinton) has been outstanding throughout her senior campaign, as she is tied for first in the Empire 8 with 16 goals. Meelan also has three assists that give her a point total of 35, which ranks third in the conference. Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) leads UC with six assists, to go with her two goals and 10 total points. Sydney Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) has also tallied 10 points, coming from her three goals and four assists. Freshman goalkeeper Megan Chamberlain (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) leads all Utica goalies with 36 saves, while teammate Madison Babicz (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) leads the E8 with seven defensive saves.
 
Scouting Elmira: The Elmira Soaring Eagles are holding an overall record of 6-7 to go with their Empire 8 mark of 1-3. The team is on a two-game win streak since taking care of business against Morrisville and Keuka. Elmira beat Keuka in its last match, as the contest was decided by a shootout after remaining tied 1-1 after regulation and overtime. The Soaring Eagles got the win, outshooting their opponent 30-9 on the day. Jamie Kempf is the team's leading point scorer, with 10 points on four goals and two assists. Mae Dinh and Matilda Kennedy-Butler have also scored four goals each this season. Goalkeeper Tina O'Donnell has made a total of 152 saves on the year.
 
Up Next: The Pioneers will return home on Wednesday, October 24^th, for their final home contest of the 2018 regular season. The team will face Hartwick College for a 4 p.m. start time.