UTICA, NY - The Utica College women's soccer team seeks its second win of the season on Sunday, March 28th as it hosts Elmira College. Opening kickoff of the non-conference match is slated for 1 p.m. at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.

Follow Along Sunday: Due to pre existing COVID-19 restrictions, spectators are not allowed at Utica College sporting events until further notice. Live video and stats will be provided for all home games at portal.stretchinternet.com/utica/.

Where It All Sits: Utica is 1-2 and have lost the last two matches after their season opening win against Alfred. 

Against The Soaring Eagles: This will be the 35th meeting between Utica and Elmira since 1986, which is the year of the first known meeting on record. Elmira has won 22 of the 34, while Utica has won 12. However, the Pioneers have won the last four matches by a combined 18-2 margin.

Last Year Against Elmira: The Pioneers topped the Soaring Eagles by a 4-1 score in an Empire 8 Conference match on November 2nd, 2019 in Elmira. Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland) had a hat trick to lead UC. The Pioneers got their remaining goal along with an assist from active player Sydney Cook (Waterville, NY/Waterville), while Hope Millets (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) and Jacinta Kaminski (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) each recorded one assist.

Last Time Out: Utica dropped a conference match by a 4-1 score to visiting Nazareth on Sunday, March 21st. The Golden Flyers scored twice in the first twelve minutes to get the offense they needed to ultimately secure the win. Kierra Caissey (Gardner, MA/Gardner) scored the lone Pioneer goal on a free kick late in the first half, as she headed the ball off a redirect from Hillaria Hernandez (Carmel, NY/Kennedy Catholic) following the free kick service from Kaela Mochak (Westfield, MA/Westfield).

On The Board: Two players have scored goals for Utica in the team's first three matches of the season. Jacinta Kaminski (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) continues to set the pace with two goals from a win over Alfred. She is sixth in the conference in goals per game. Caissey comprises the balance with a goal of her own. Hillaria Hernandez (Carmel, NY/Kennedy Catholic) has a team-best two assists and has recorded one in two different matches. She is fifth in the conference in assists per game. Sydney Cook (Waterville, NY/Waterville) and Kaela Mochak (Westfield, MA/Westfield) have one apiece.

Court Is Now In Session: Freshman goalkeeper Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) has played every minute of the season so far for Utica. The rookie has compiled a record of 1-2 with a goals against average of 2.00. She has made 30 saves and has one shutout to her credit, a shutout which nabbed her Empire 8 defensive player of the week honors for the first week of the season.

By The Numbers: Utica ranks fourth in the Empire 8 Conference with an average of a goal a game. They rank in a tie for third in goals against with an average of 2.00 against per contest. The Pioneers also sit fourth in corner kicks earned with six. They are fourth with nineteen total shots.

About Elmira: The Soaring Eagles are 0-1, with their lone match being a 9-0 loss to Nazareth. Taylor Hanson, Hailey Boris, and Adrianna Cornell each attempted a shot. Goalkeeper Cassidy Buchanan made ten saves. The Soaring Eagles were 2-14 in 2019.

Up Next: The Pioneers return to conference play on Friday, April 2nd as they go to Houghton College for a match with the Highlanders.