Utica, NY – The Utica College women's soccer team hosted Sage on Wednesday for some Empire 8 action. The visiting Gators gave UC its first conference loss of the season, 2-1, as the Pioneers are now 5-4-2 overall and 2-1-1 in the E8.
 
Sage scored the first goal of the match in the 26^th minute, as Hallie Klosterman was assisted by Samantha Trimblett to take a 1-0 lead. The Pioneers were outshot 9-2 in the first half, trailing by just one score heading into halftime.
 
The Gators would go up 2-0 with just over ten minutes remaining in regulation, as Ariannah Logan found the back of the net with Trimblett assisting once again. Utica found some life late in the game after Kierra Caissey (Gardner, MA/Gardner) beat the keeper on a penalty kick opportunity to make the score 2-1 in the 87^th minute.
 
Sage would hold on for the win, improving to 5-4-2 overall and 1-1-1 in conference. The goalkeeper for the Gators, Emma Augustine, made three saves in the contest.
 
Although Utica was outshot in the first half, the two teams both fired three shots in the second. Goalkeeper Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) made four saves in the loss.
 
The Pioneers look to bounce back on Sunday, as they head on the road to battle Hamilton for a quick break in conference play. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m.