ONEONTA, NY- The Utica College women's soccer team came away with a 1-0 win over host and Empire 8 conference foe, Hartwick college, in the final game of the regular season on Saturday. 
 
With the win, Utica punches its ticket to the Empire 8 Tournament for the fourth straight year.  The Pioneers will return to Hartwick on Tuesday for the first round of the E8 tournament.  Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
Utica opened the scoring just 5:23 into the game as senior Ro Hernandez (Carmel, NY/Kennedy Catholic) put in her team-leading ninth of the year.  The play started at midfield when Natalia Gerena (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) fired a long pass to Jacinta Kamisnki who brought it down towards the top right corner of the box.  Kaminski cut towards the middle and fired a shot towards the left post.  Hartwick keeper Sara Staup knocked it down, but Hernandez was there to clean up the rebound.
 
Hernandez's tally held up to be the decisive tally as the Utica defense shut the door.  Hernandez is now tied for the conference lead with three game-winners on the year.  Sophomore Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) turned aside all five shots she faced for her fourth shutout of the year.  Staup also finished with five saves as she shouldered the loss.