Utica, NY -- The Utica College women's soccer team is heading to Marcy, NY to face SUNY Poly in a non-conference battle on Thursday. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Last Time Out: UC is currently 7-5-2 (3-1-1 Empire 8) this season, after coming off a 3-2 overtime victory over Alfred University last Saturday. The teams were even in shot attempts, as both fired nine shots. Junior Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland) scored two goals, including the game winner in overtime, which was assisted by Gabrielle Esposito (Rotterdam, NY/Mohonasen). Sophomore Kierra Caissey (Gardner, MA/Gardner) scored a goal and had an assist, while classmate Summer Gagnon (Manchester, NH/Manchester) finished with one assist as well.
Hopes for Empire 8 Tournament: The Pioneers are 3-1-1 in the Empire 8 Conference, ranking third behind just Stevens (6-0 Empire 8) and Hartwick (4-2 Empire 8). With four games remaining in the season, UC still has three conference games left. The remaining conference games include Hartwick, St. John Fisher, and Stevens. Utica still has some work to do in order to clinch a spot in the Empire 8 Conference tournament for the first time since 2007.
Offensive Stats Leaders: Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland) is a having a great season in her first year as a Pioneer, leading both the team and the Empire 8 conference with nine goals. She is first in the E8 with a total of 22 points and ranks third with four assists. Kierra Caissey (Gardner, MA/Gardner) is second on the team with seven goals this season, holding a tie for third in the E8 in goals scored. Senior Gabrielle Esposito (Rotterdam, NY/Mohonasen) has four assists this season, tying for the team lead and third in the conference.
Guarding the Net: Junior Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) is the Pioneers' leading goalkeeper as she is ranked second in the Empire 8 for saves with 98 on the season. Wagner played 12 games this season averaging a conference-best 8.17 saves per game. Freshman Emily Hill (Watertown, CT/Watertown) has made seven saves on the season, and also has gone 2-0 in her first two collegiate starts.
Scouting SUNY Poly: The Wildcats are currently 1-12-1 (1-7 NEAC) this season. They are coming off a 7-0 loss against Massachusetts Colleges of Liberal Arts last Monday. Nakeya Stedman is the team's leading goal scorer with 10 goals this season. The last meeting between SUNY Poly and Utica resulted in a 1-0 loss for UC.
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers will head to Oneonta, NY to face Hartwick College this Saturday for a key Empire 8 Conference matchup. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m.
