UTICA, NY - The Utica College women's soccer team poured everything it had into getting a vital equalizer, but fell short on Wednesday night in an Empire 8 match at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. Visiting Nazareth scored a goal in the 27th minute to prevail by a 1-0 score despite a raucous Pioneer effort. 

The Pioneers are now 8-5-1, and 2-3-1 in the Empire 8 with one conference match and three standings points available to state their case at an Empire 8 playoff bid. They are lined up alongside Alfred in a tie for fourth at seven points. The Pioneers will play their final Empire 8 match on Saturday, November 2nd at Elmira College.

The women's soccer program honored the efforts of its four player senior class prior to the match. Those seniors are Lauren MacDonald (Poughquag, NY/Arlington), Kendrah Stewart (Broadalbin, NY/Broadalbin-Perth), Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy), and Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland). The first three have won 25 matches so far in their four years here, while Blumenstock has won eighteen matches in just two seasons with the Pioneers after transferring from NJCAA power Herkimer College.

Nazareth got its lone goal from top point-getter Mckayla Hughes. Senior goalkeeper Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) was otherwise flawless in goal with three saves. Nazareth keeper Hannah Miller recorded a five save clean sheet as the Pioneers held a 5-4 advantage in shots on target.

Utica came out with a committed attack and forced the issue with possession early on, but Nazareth would find the first half breakthrough. Madison Knowles served the ball up fron the wing to Hughes, who tapped home the loose ball in the Utica six yard box for a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute.

The Pioneers came back repeatedly with chances, led by the fearless play of striker Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland). Blumenstock had four of the team's five shots on goal and came through with numerous blazing runs on the attack. Amanda Thut (Carmel, NY/Carmel) also produced a highlightable two-way performance at the outside back position over the course of the night, not only for her play defensively, but also as an offensive facilitator as the Pioneers launched a promising bid for the equalizer.

Eight members of Utica's starting eleven did not come off the pitch on Wednesday night.

The Pioneers will turn their focus to non-conference action on Wednesday, October 30th as they host their final home match of 2019 against the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Match time is slated for 7 p.m.