ONEONTA, NY- The Utica College women's soccer team downed host Hartwick College 1-0 in the Empire 8 Conference Championship game to secure the first ever conference title in program history.
 
With the win, Utica improves to 12-5-1 on the season, marking the most victories in a single-season since 2005. The Pioneers will find out their opponent for the NCAA Tournament during the selection show on Monday at 1 p.m. on NCAA.com.
 
Utica weathered the storm in the first half as Hartwick out shot the Pioneers 9-0 and held a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks through the first 45 minutes of play.  UC had more chances in the second half and finally broke the deadlock in the 81^stminute as junior Sydney Cook (Waterville, NY/Waterville) netted her third of the year.  Senior Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland) dribbled the ball into the box and dished it to Cook who fired into a wide open net for the go-ahead.
 
That was all Utica needed as the Pioneer defense held strong.  Senior Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy), who recently broke the College's career shutout record, stopped all seven shots she faced.  Wagner was named the tournament's most outstanding player as she did not allow a goal in the tournament.