UTICA, NY- The Utica College field hockey team dropped its season-opener Friday evening as it fell to visiting SUNY New Paltz 4-1 in non-conference action.  Junior Jeslyn Files (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport) scored the lone goal for Utica.
 
After falling into a 3-0 hole in the first 17:42 of action, Files got the Pioneers on the board at 24:28 as Files rifled in her third career goal to cut the deficit to two.  Off a penalty corner, senior Ricki Haab (Stowe, VT/Stowe) sent out a ball to junior Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich), who dumped a quick pass to Files to rocket into the lower right hand corner to put UC on the board.
 
Despite added pressure by the Pioneers  in the second half, New Paltz tacked on an insurance tally at 47:55 to come away with the victory.
 
Sophomore Megan Chamberlain (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) made 13 saves in the loss, while Ryan Dowling had four save sin the win.
 
Utica returns to action on Saturday to host SUNY Oneonta.  Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.