Utica, NY- The Utica College women's soccer team is taking a trip to Albany on Wednesday March 17th as they take on Russell Sage College in an Empire 8 conference match. The Gators will host the Pioneers at the Albany College of Pharmacy Stadium at 4 PM.
Follow Along: Due to existing COVID-19 protocols, spectators are not allowed at Wednesday's match. The Sage Athletic Department will provide live stat updates of Wednesday night's game at https://www.sagegators.com/sports/wsoc/2020-21/boxscores/20210317_ajf4.xml.
Last Time Out: This past Sunday the Pioneers traveled to Alfred University in an Empire 8 Conference matchup. Despite the Saxons outshooting UC by an 11-9 margin, they were unable to find results as their offense was silenced by Utica's experienced back line and the goalkeeping play of Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley). Jacinta Kaminski (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) was credited with both goals for Utica as she struck once in each half to help secure the win. Hillaria Hernandez (Carmel, NY/Kennedy Catholic) and Sydney Cook (Waterville, NY/Waterville) added the assists.
Award Winner: Freshman goalkeeper Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) saw her first collegiate start for Utica on Sunday. Connolly was called upon to come up with three saves, and earned her first college clean sheet as a result. Her efforts also secured Utica's third straight shutout against conference opposition after not conceding a goal in last season's Empire 8 Conference Tournament. She was named the Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for her performance.
Moving Up The List: Senior midfielder Kierra Caissey (Gardner, MA/Gardner) has been a leader and offensive force in the midfield and attacking half. Caissey currently has 17 goals in her career.. She currently shares 8th place on the college's career list with Michele Tansey, and needs just two more to catch Danielle Barhydt for seventh. Along with Caissey's amazing scoring abilities, she also has four assists in her career.
Leading from the Back: Senior defender Emma Workman (Salt Lake City, UT/East) has proven to be a strong defender who's also not afraid to join the attack to help yield results. Over the course of Workman's career, she has assisted five goals and scored a game winning free kick from 30 yards out in the first round of last season's Empire 8 Conference Tournament.
Well Rounded: A player that can do it all is how Sydney Cook (Waterville, NY/Waterville) would be described. While goal scoring tends to be the main task in the forward position, Cook is also a very solid passer. Currently Cook has three goals and six assists in her career. She added on an assist in Sunday's match.
History with Sage: This will be the fourteenth all-time meeting on record between the two sides. Utica holds a 7-6 edge all-time in the thirteen matches played so far. The last six matches have been decided by two goals or less. Last season, Utica won by a 2-0 score. Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland) scored both goals in the match. Kierra Caissey (Gardner, MA/Gardner) added an assist.
Up Next: The team's next match will be on Sunday March 21st as the Pioneers host Nazareth in their Spring 2021 home opener.
