Utica, NY -- The Utica College women's soccer team will head to Houghton, NY to face Houghton College on Saturday in an Empire 8 Conference matchup. Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Last Time Out: The Pioneers are currently 4-3-2 (1-0-1 Empire 8) this season. They are riding a two-game winning streak coming off a 7-0 win over Elmira College and most recently beating Cazenovia 2-1 in overtime. Summer Gagnon (Manchester, NH/Manchester) scored the equalizer in the second half for UC to push Caz to extra time before Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland) knocked in the game-winner in the first overtime period.
Finding a Rhythm: UC has been getting the job done, recording just one loss in the last seven matches. In this series of seven games the Pioneers have earned four wins, two draws, and just the one loss to SUNY Potsdam. After going scoreless through the first three games of the season, the team has now scored 17 goals in the last seven. Utica will look to continue its strong play heading into the contest with Houghton.
Shots Fired: Utica is currently second in the Empire 8 Conference for shot attempts (140), first in shots on goal (84) and second in goals scored (17). Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland) leads UC and the conference with 32 shots taken.
Player in the Ranks: Kierra Caissey (Gardner, MA/Gardner) is second in the Empire 8 for goals scored (5), fourth in shots (24) and tied for third in points (10) along with teammate Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland). Blumenstock is also second in the conference with an assist total of 4. As the goalie, junior Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) is second in the E8 with 72 saves, second in saves per game (8.63), and has recorded two shutouts this year.
Scouting: Houghton: The Highlanders are 4-1-2 (0-1-1 Empire 8) so far this season heading into this weekend's contest. The team is coming off a 2-0 loss against Alfred University last Thursday. Houghton is led by Jessica Beattie who is tops on the team in goals (6) and assists (3) this season.
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers will return home next Wednesday (Oct 3) to face Sage in an Empire 8 conference matchup. This game marks UC's Breast Cancer Awareness game and is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
