UTICA, NY- The Utica College field hockey team returns to action Wednesday as it travels to Ithaca College for a match up against the Bombers.  Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
OPENING WEEKEND RECAP: The Pioneers went 1-1 in their first weekend of play at the New Paltz Invitational last weekend… Utica dropped the first game 7-1 to New Paltz before rebounding on Sunday to down Oneonta 4-3.
 
BALANCED ATTACK: Four different players scored last weekend for Utica… On Saturday, junior Josie Sgarlata (Canastota, NY/Canastota) netted the Pioneers' lone goal… Senior Rylee Meelan (Clinton, NY/Clinton) led the way with two goals on Sunday, while classmate Maria Orsino (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) and sophomore Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) each had one tally.
 
DISHING IT OUT: Junior Joanna Gaertner (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville) has dished out a team-high three assists so far… Gaertner set up Utica's lone goal in Saturday's loss to New Paltz before adding two more helpers, including one on the game-winner with just 4:56 remaining in regulation to lift UC to a 4-3 win over Oneonta on Sunday.
 
FIRST WIN: Freshman Megan Chamberlain (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) turned aside 13 shots on Sunday to pick up her first collegiate win… Chamberlain currently ranks third in the E8 with 16 saves on the season. 
 
SCOUTING ITHACA: Ithaca is 1-1 after the first weekend of play, defeating Drew University 3-0 and falling to No. 10 Montclair State 2-1…Senior Meg Dowd leads the Bombers with two goals while goalie Savanna Lenker has totaled 10 saves and holds a .833 save percentage.
 
AGAINST THE BOMBERS: Utica is 8-10 all-time against Ithaca, but the Pioneers are 4-2 against the Bombers in the last five seasons… Last year, UC defeated Ithaca 3-1, thanks in part to one goal by Joanna Gaertner (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville) and assists by Josie Sgarlata (Canastota, NY/Canastota), Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich), and Jessica Belt (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder). 
 
LOOKING AHEAD: Following Wednesday's game, the Pioneers will remain on the road on Sunday as they travel to The University of Rochester… Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.