Utica, NY – The Utica College women's soccer team is on the road Saturday for a key Empire 8 contest against Hartwick College. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m.
 
Last Time Out: The Pioneers took care of business in a road game at SUNY Poly, coming away with a 4-0 win. Jenna Mazza (Frankfort, NY/Sauquoit Valley) led the way with her first career hat trick, while Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland) added one goal of her own. Abby Reilly (Brookfield, NY/Brookfield), Carly Craft (Ellenville, NY/Ellenville), and Taylor Miller (Trumansburg, NY/Charles O. Dickerson) each tallied one assist. Goalkeeper Emily Hill (Watertown, CT/Watertown) earned the first shutout win of her career to go with her three saves. Utica improves to 8-5-2 overall and is 3-1-1 in E8 competition.
 
Scoring Machine: Junior forward Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland) leads the conference in both goals (10) and total points (24) this season. Her goal against SUNY Poly now makes it three straight games with a score. Blumenstock has registered four goals over the last three games, helping the team earn a three-match winning streak.
 
Hill's Success in Net: Freshman goalie Emily Hill (Watertown, CT/Watertown) has been starting recently for the Pioneers, making three consecutive starts in the last three games. During this stretch, Hill is undefeated (3-0) in net and has made nine saves.
 
E8 Standings: Utica is currently third in the conference standings with an E8 mark of 3-1-1, with the regular season winding down. Here is the full list of standings for the Empire 8: 1. Stevens (6-0 E8), 2. Hartwick (4-2 E8), 3. Utica (3-1-1 E8), 4. Nazareth (2-2-3), 5. St. John Fisher (2-1-2), 6. Sage (2-2-1), 7. Alfred (2-4- E8), 8. Houghton (0-4-2 E8), 9. Elmira (0-5-1 E8). With three Empire 8 matches remaining in the regular season, the Pioneers will have to remain sharp if they wish to secure a top four spot in the standings and clinch a berth into the E8 Tournament.
 
Scouting Hartwick: The Hartwick Hawks are sitting at 8-6-1 overall and are second in the conference with a mark of 4-2 in Empire 8 play. The team recently fell, 1-0, to Oneonta during the week. Gabrielle Kreppein leads the way for the Hawks with six goals and three assists to tally 15 points. Teammate Tanner Reed is right behind her in each category, registering 10 points on four goals and two assists. Goalkeeper Cassandra Robataille is between the pipes for Hartwick, as she has made 60 saves and completed six shutout wins on the season.
 
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers will return to Charles A. Gaetano Stadium on Wednesday, October 24^th for their final home game of the regular season. UC will host E8 opponent St. John Fisher for a 7 p.m. start time.