UTICA, NY- The Utica College field hockey team dropped a heartbreaker Saturday evening as it fell to visiting SUNY Oneonta 4-3 in non-conference action.  Junior Sydney Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) led the way with two goals and one assist for the Pioneers. 
 
Utica got on the board first at 18:38 as Madeline Krecidlo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) cleaned up the garbage in front for her first of the year.  Scaccia's initial shot was blocked, but Krecidlo was waiting just off the right post to bange in the rebound.
 
Oneonta responded with a pair of goals just 1:05 apart to take a 1-0 lead with 2:10 remaining in the first half.  However, with less than a minute remaining in the half, Scaccia redirected a shot by Samantha Whitehouse that found the back of the net for her first of the year.  Whitehouse meanwhile has now scored at least one point in eight of her last nine games dating back to last season.
 
With Oneonta holding a 4-2 lead with under five minutes to play in the third quarter, the Red Dragons looked poised to extend their lead as they were awarded a penalty stroke.  Sophomore keeper Megan Chamberlain (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) was up to the task, however, as she turned aside Emily Raymond's shot to keep Utica in the game.
 
The Pioneers came out flying in the fourth quarter and were quickly rewarded as Scaccia netted her second of the day just 40 seconds into the final frame.  Utica's best chance to even the score came with 2:48 remaining , as Lexi Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) connected with Krecidlo, but her shot sailed just over the crossbar.  Despite sustained pressure, UC was not able to find the equalizer as Oneonta held on for the win.
 
Chamberlain finished with seven saves, while Oneonta's Kristy Campana also totaled seven saves.  The Pioneers return to action Wednesday as they host Ithaca College.  Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.