UTICA, NY- Sophomore Kaela Mochak (Westfield, MA/Westfield) scored the game-winner just 3:05 into the first overtime period to lift the Utica College women's soccer team to a thrilling 4-3 win over Alfred University in Empire 8 Conference action Saturday afternoon.
 
The first half was anything but quiet as the teams combined for six goals in the opening stanza.  Alfred got things going in the sixth minute as Kayla Silverstein capitalized on a defensive miscue for her team-leading sixth of the year.
 
The Pioneers responded just under ten minutes later when senior Jacinta Kaminski (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) chipped a ball over Alfred keeper Hannah Fuller that found its way in for her third of the season.  Natalie Gerena was credited with an assist on the opener.
 
Just five minutes later Utica was awarded a penalty kick as a Saxon defender was whistled for a hand ball in the box.  Senior Ro Hernandez (Carmel, NY/Kennedy Catholic) made it count as she tucked the ball inside the right post for her sixth of the year.  It was short-lived, however as the Saxons struck back just 30 seconds later thanks to a score by Abigail Austin.
 
Utica again took the lead in the 33^rd minute when a Mochak free kick near midfield was flicked on by Cook and finished by Hernandez for her second of the day and seventh of the season.
 
Alfred would not go down without a fight however as Claire Squicciarini put in her second of the year off an assist from Silverstein with ten minutes remaining in the half.
 
The second half was polar opposite of the first as the defenses held strong sending Utica to its first overtime of the season.
 
Utica came out flying in the extra frame with sustained pressure in its offensive end.  The Pioneers were rewarded as Kaminski touched it to Mochak who fired from the top of the box for her second game-winner of the year. 
 
Sophomore Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) finished with four saves in the win, while Fuller also recorded four saves as she shouldered the loss.
 
The Pioneers improve to 6-2 on the year and 2-0 in the Empire 8.  They will return to action Tuesday as they host Union College.  Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.