UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's soccer team got back on track Saturday as it downed visiting Houghton College 3-0 in its Empire 8 Conference opener.  Senior Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland) led the Pioneers with two goals on the day, while classmate Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) made seven saves for the shutout.
 
The Pioneers opened the scoring at 14:19 when junior Carly Craft (Ellenville, NY/Ellenville) fired a long shot from over 30 yards out that went over the head of Houghton keeper Megan Merrifield and sailed into the top of the net.  Craft's tally was her first of the year. 
 
Utica extended the lead with just over ten minutes remaining in the first half as senior Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland) took a feed from hope Millets and fired a shot from the top left corner of the box into the right side of the net.  It marked the seventh goal of the season for Blumenstock. 
 
The Poland, NY native wasn't finished however as she followed up her own rebound and was able to kick a loose ball over the goal line with 8:21 remaining in the game to all but seal the win.
 
Wagner was once again lights out, turning aside all seven shots she faced.  She now has four shutouts on the season.  Merrifield meanwhile made eight saves in the loss. 
 
The Pioneers (6-2) will have a week off before traveling to Sage for an E8 match up.  Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.