UTICA, NY – The Utica College field hockey team will make its long-awaited home debut Wednesday as it hosts The College at Brockport in non-conference play. The game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
 
Last Time Out: The Pioneers (2-3) are coming off a 7-1 win over Sage last Saturday in their Empire 8 Conference opener... Both senior Rylee Meelan (Clinton, NY/Clinton) and junior Ricki Haab (Stowe, VT/Stowe) scored two goals to lead the way… Senior Maria Orsino (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) netted her second of the year, while junior Fiona Shea (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) and sophomore Jeslyn Files (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport) each scored their first goals of the season in the win… Sophomore Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) led the team with three assists.
 
Home Sweet Home: Utica has historically been tough to beat on its home field…  The Pioneers have had just one losing season at home in the last ten years… Over that span, Utica has a 51-29 record at the friendly confines of Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. 
 
Guarding the Goal: Freshman Megan Chamberlain (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) leads the team with 38 saves… She is currently third in the Empire 8 in saves and saves per game (7.60), and she ranks sixth in save percentage (.745).
 
Finishing Strong: Rylee Meelan (Clinton, NY/Clinton) currently leads the team in goals (five) and points (11)… In the conference, she is tied for second in shots (27), fourth in points and tied for fourth for goals scored… Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) is second on the squad with five points, including a team-high three assists… Ricki Haab (Stowe, VT/Stowe) and Maria Orsino (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) are tied for third on the team with four points.
 
Scouting Brockport: The Golden Eagles are currently 2-3 in the season and they are coming off a 4-0 win over Sage on Sunday…. The team is led by Katelynn Mello, who has one goal and four assists through five games.
 
Against Brockport: UC is 11-5 all-time against Brockport… Last year, the Pioneers defeated the Golden Eagles 5-1… Sydney Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) had three goals, while Rylee Meelan (Clinton, NY/Clinton) and Ricki Haab (Stowe, VT/Stowe) each netted one.   
 
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers will visit Houghton College in an Empire 8 match on Saturday… Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.