UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's lacrosse team had plenty of reason to celebrate Saturday. For starters, it was Utica's senior day honoring the eight members of the class of 2019. More importantly, the Pioneers picked up a 19-2 win over visiting Elmira College in Empire 8 Conference action. The win moved the Pioneers one step closer to qualifying for the Empire 8 Tournament. It also moved UC's record to 11-3 on the year, marking a new program record for wins in a season.
Utica is now tied with Nazareth for second place in the Empire 8 standings with a 5-2 conference record. Five wins matches the program record for conference victories in a season, which the 2018 version of the Pioneers accomplished. UC returns to action on Tuesday as it travels to SUNY Canton for a non-conference match up. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
11 Different players scored at least one goal for Utica. Freshman
Lexi Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) led the way with four goals, while
Kaitlynn Palmer (Verona, NY/VVS) and
Katie McDowell (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) each had two goals and three assists to tie for the team-lead with five points.
Senior
Katlyn Scarpinella (South Setauket, NY/Ward Melville) and sophomore
Stephanie Husnay (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) had a goal and two assists apiece, while
Lauren Wolff (Peabody, MA/Peabody),
Kristin Krieg (Schenectady, NY/Guilderland), and
Natalie Capriglione (New Milford, CT/New Milford) each finished with two goals.
Emily Rossi (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill),
Hannah Nordstrom (Fairhaven, MA/Fairhaven), and
Noelle Capriglione (New Milford, CT/New Milford) also tallied goals on the day.
Junior
Hali Vandermeulen (Walden, NY/Valley Central) and freshman
Claire Frier (Lafayette, NY/Lafayette) combined for four saves in the win. It marked Vandermeulen's 10
th victory of the year, tying her with Erin Jacobson for most wins in a single season. Vandermeulen is also now just one win from tying Pioneer Hall of Famer Shelby Barbay '12 for most wins in a career (26).
The Pioneers dominated from the get go as Utica was 17-5 on draw controls. UC also caused 13 turnovers, while Elmira notched just one caused turnover. The home team outshot Elmira 46-10 on the day. And the Pioneers were also 9-for-12 on clear attempts, while holding the Soaring Eagles to just 10-for-22 on clears.
