UTICA, NY- The Utica College field hockey team fell to visiting Houghton College 3-1 in Empire 8 Conference action Sunday afternoon.
 
Despite outshooting Houghton 4-0 to start the game, it was the Highlanders who struck first as Lindsey Waters put in her first of the season off a feed from Leanne Plunkett at 16:20.  In what seemed like their first trip into the Utica defensive end, the highlanders were awarded a penalty corner.  Plunkett settled down the initial pass and Waters was there to put it home at the side of the goal.
 
The Pioneers responded in the waning seconds of the first half as Shannon Jedreichich netted her first of the season off an assist by Madeline Krecidlo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro).
 
Houghton came out strong in the second half, scoring two goals in the first 8:25 to take a 3-1 lead.  First, Caitlin Jennings netted her first of the year as she fired a shot from distance that bounced off the far post and in. 
 
Then, Peyton Bentley put in a rebound in front for her second of the year.
 
The Pioneers threatened in the fourth quarter, but could not solve Houghton goalie Sofia Gildemeister.  Gildemeister finished with six saves for Houghton, while junior Megan Chamberlain (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) made five saves for the Pioneers. 
 
Utica will await its seeding an opponent for the upcoming Empire 8 Tournament.