Utica, NY – The Utica College field hockey team will head to Houghton, NY to face Houghton College for its second Empire 8 Conference match of the season on Saturday. The game time is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
Last Time Out: The Pioneers (3-3) are currently 1-0 in the Empire 8. They are coming off a 4-2 win over Brockport in their home opener on Wednesday. Utica was led by senior
Rylee Meelan (Clinton, NY/Clinton) who scored a hat trick and was followed by junior
Josie Sgarlata (Canastota, NY/Canastota) who also scored a goal in the game. Sophomore
Sydney Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) dished out two assists as well.
Attacking the Goal: The Pioneers are outshooting their opponents with 116 to 107. They are currently third in the Empire 8 for shots fired. Meelan is currently leading UC for most shots (40) and goals (eight).
Player in the Ranks: After six games, Meelan is leading the Empire 8 conference in shots (40), points (17), and goals (eight). Freshman
Megan Chamberlain (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) is currently fourth in the Empire 8 for saves (41) and she is also top ten for goals against average (3.05).
Moving Up the All-Time List: After scoring three goals in the Pioneers win over Brockport, Meelan has now moved into a tie for fifth on the College's all-time list with 33 career goals. She is currently tied with former Pioneer great Alaina Stojkovski '14.
Scouting Houghton: The Highlanders are off to a 2-5 (0-2 Empire 8) start this season. They are coming off a 4-0 loss against St. John Fisher last Tuesday. Sophomore Caitlin Jennings is currently leading Houghton with seven goals and three assists in seven games.
Against Houghton: The Pioneers are 5-0 against the Highlanders in the last five years. Their last game was in 2017 when UC won 4-1 over Houghton.
Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) had two goals, and both Meelan and
Joanna Gaertner (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville) each scored a goal.
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers will return home to face Hamilton College in a non-conference matchup on Tuesday. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
