UTICA, NY – The Utica College women's lacrosse team defeated visiting Stevens Institute of Technology for the first time in program-history on Sunday as the Pioneers dominated play all afternoon in a convincing 14-7 Empire 8 Conference opening victory. Freshman Jessie Biegel (Ridge, NY/Longwood) had a breakout game as she posted a career-high five goals to lead the way for the Pioneers.  Biegel now has 11 goals in her last four games. Junior Kaitlynn Palmer (Verona, NY/VVS) added three goals for the Pioneers, while Hailee DuMont (Wilkes-Barre, PA/James M. Coughlin) chipped in with two goals and one assist. 

Hali Vandermeulen (Walden, NY/Valley Central) was a rock in net once again as she stopped a season-high 15 shots. Vandermeulen has eclipsed double-digits in the save column four times this season and 15 saves on Sunday is her most saves in a single game dating back to March 10^thof 2018 when she stopped 19 shots against Clarkson. 

Utica has now won five in a row and its 7-1 overall record (4-0 at home) marks their best start to a season in program-history. UC Head Coach Kristin St. Hilaire now needs just one more win to reach 100 career victories and she will have a chance to reach that milestone on Wednesday when the Pioneers travel to Sage for a 4 p.m. conference contest. Stevens, which made the Empire 8 Championship game last season and earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament, saw its record drop to 2-5 overall following the loss.  

Utica sophomore Stephanie Husnay (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) netted one goal and added two assists, while Lauren Wolff (Peabody, MA/Peabody) posted two helpers to increase her conference-best assist total to 17 for the season.  

Vandermeulen and the Pioneer defense held two-time Empire 8 Player of the Year Kyra Bednarski of Stevens to just three goals. Heading into the contest she was averaging 4.5 goals per contest and she currently leads the E8 with 30 goals this season.  

Stevens jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead in the first 10:05 of the contest but the Pioneers were able to settle in nicely following the early deficit.  UC rattled off seven unanswered goals in the final 13:37 of the first half to take an 8-3 lead into the intermission.  Addison Green (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) got the Pioneers going with her third goal of the year to make it 3-2. Jessie Biegel (Ridge, NY/Longwood) then netted two straight to give the Pioneers a 4-3 lead that they would not relinquish.  Stephanie Husnay (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), Kaitlynn Palmer (Verona, NY/VVS) and Jessie Biegel (Ridge, NY/Longwood) each scored before the half to put the Pioneers on top 8-3 after 30 minutes of action. 

The Pioneers then scored five of the first six goals in the second half to put the game out of reach. Kaitlynn Palmer (Verona, NY/VVS) netted her third straight goal to start the second half scoring.  Biegel added her fifth of the day before Hailee Dumont scored on two straight free positions to put the Pioneers on top 12-4 with 11:19 to go.  

Katlyn Scarpinella (South Setauket, NY/Ward Melville) and Lexi Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) each added a goal before the final horn sounded with the Pioneers on top by seven. Scarpinella added two ground balls, two caused turnovers and three draw controls to round out a solid stat line. Lexi Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) led UC with eight draw controls to help command possession in the contest.  Devon Burri (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes) and Jessica Steinhilber (Plainview, NY/Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK) each chipped in with three ground balls on the defensive end.