UTICA, NY – The Utica College field hockey team is back in action on Sunday as it converges on Rochester, NY for a matchup with the No. 12 University of Rochester Yellowjackets. The non-conference matchup is the fourth game of a five game season-opening road trip for the Pioneers, with game time scheduled for 2 p.m.
The Story So Far: The Pioneers currently sit at a 1-2 overall record, all of it coming by way of non-conference play... Utica opened the season with a split at the New Paltz Invitational last weekend, falling to the host Hawks 7-1 on Saturday... UC later rebounded to salvage a split as a
Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) goal at the 65:04 mark in second half action broke a tie to lift Utica over Oneonta State by a score of 4-3... On Wednesday, the Pioneers seemed primed to keep the good times going as they grabbed a 1-0 lead on Ithaca through a Riley Meelan goal less than two minutes in, but the Bombers evened the score in the second half to force an extra session... Ithaca scored the deciding goal less than a minute into overtime to grab the 2-1 win.
Setting the Pace: Utica's attack has been paced by the efforts of senior Riley Meelan, who has already totaled seven points on three goals and one assist through three games this season while also recording a team-high 18 shots... The longtime offensive stalwart for the Pioneers has scored in each of the last two games, including a two-goal effort in the win over Oneonta.
Chipping In: Behind Meelan, the Pioneers have gotten a widespread array of contributions from other veteran players in the young season... Sophomore
Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich), junior
Josie Sgarlata (Canastota, NY/Canastota), and senior
Maria Orsino (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) have all potted goals to comprise the balance of the offense, while
Joanna Gaertner (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville) and
Jessica Belt (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder) each have an assist among returning players.
You Shall Not Pass: The Pioneers had huge shoes to fill in goal after the graduation of
Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich), and their answer has come in the form of freshman
Megan Chamberlain (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury)... The freshman has started all three games so far and has turned aside 10 shots or more in the last two games to give the Pioneers a chance to win... Senior
Carly Tebolt (Wappingers, NY/Roy C Ketcham) has also seen time in goal, as she saw action in the opener against New Paltz.
We've Seen You Somewhere Before: The Pioneers have been fortunate to welcome the contributions of student athletes from other sports who are playing in their first season of field hockey at UC... Junior
Kaitlynn Palmer (Verona, NY/VVS) had a tremendous spring as part of the playoff-bound women's lacrosse team, and recently recorded her first career field hockey point at Utica with an assist in the loss to Ithaca... Sophomore
Jeslyn Files (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport) has played in two games so far including one start after spending her freshman season as a member of the women's basketball team.
Keeping it Spotless: One area where Utica has controlled its destiny to this point is in keeping a clean penalty sheet, and the team on the field at full strength… The Pioneers have yet to send a player off for a card this season.
Against the Jackets: Rochester returns to the Utica schedule after a one-year absence… In the 2016 meeting, Utica went on the road for a non-conference season finale and came up short against the Yellow Jackets by a 3-0 score... Claire Dickerson, Callie Fisher, and Olivia Denny all scored for Rochester, while goalkeeper
Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) backstopped Utica with nine saves... The Jackets have won the last two meetings in the series; with Utica's most recent win happening in 2014 by a 2-1 score in overtime... That season, the Pioneers went on to win the Empire 8 championship.
Scouting the Jackets: The Jackets are currently 2-0 to start the season and they have built that record in decisive fashion on their way to the No. 12 ranking in the latest NFHCA Division III Coaches' Poll... They opened their season with a 7-1 rout of Nazareth, and followed that up by taking full control of a marquee matchup as they topped No. 16 Cortland on the road 4-1... Senior Nancy Bansbach leads the way on offense with three goals thus far, while junior Colleen Mallie, freshman Amanda Strenk, and freshman Nikki Mercer have two goals apiece... Strenk was recently named the Liberty League Rookie of the Week for her performance against Nazareth… Junior Kate Kujawa has been in goal for both wins for Rochester.
Mark your Calendars: Fans will catch their first opportunity to see the Pioneers in action at home on Wednesday, September 19
th as they entertain The College at Brockport for their 2018 home opener… The non-conference matchup begins at 5 p.m.
On Tap: Following Sunday's game, Utica will have a full week to prepare for their Empire 8 conference opener as they travel to the Sage Colleges on Saturday, September 15… The meeting will be the first for the Pioneers against the Gators, who begin NCAA varsity play this fall.
