UTICA, NY- The Utica College field hockey team picked up a big win in its Empire 8 Conference opener as it downed defending champion, Washington & Jefferson College 3-0 Saturday afternoon at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.
 
This marks the first win for Utica over W&J since 2015.  The Pioneers look to carry their momentum into a midweek match up at St. Lawrence on Tuesday.  Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
Utica opened the scoring in the final ticks of the first quarter when senior Josie Sgarlata (Canastota, NY/Canastota) put in a feed from Lexi Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) for her first of the year at 14:27. 
 
The score remained the same for nearly 30 minutes before UC tacked on an insurance tally at 40:35.  Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) rifled a shot on net that W&J goalie Reina Israel stopped, but Sydney Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) tipped the rebound to Madeline Krecidlo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), who buried the loose ball at the side of the net for her second of the season.
 
The Pioneers capped off the scoring on the day in the 47^th minute as Whitehouse converted on a penalty stroke for her second of the season.
 
The Utica defense held strong and sophomore Megan Chamberlain (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) turned aside all five shots she faced to pick up her first shutout of the season.  Israel meanwhile finished with seven saves for the Presidents.