UTICA, NY- The Utica College field hockey team scored three goals in each half to down visiting Washington & Jefferson College 6-3 in the 2021 Empire 8 Conference opener on Saturday.  Graduate student Sydney Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) had two goals and one assist to pace the Pioneers.
 
Utica got on the board at 2:05 when Madeline Krecidlo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) netted her fourth goal in the last three games, assisted by Scaccia.
 
The Presidents responded just over three minutes later as sophomore Hailey Wachowiak scored her team-leading fourth of the year off an assist by Lindsey Diggan.
 
Utica took a 2-1 lead at 6:47 when senior Jeslyn Files (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport) buried her own rebound for her first of the year.  Once again W&J responded this time by-way-of a penalty stroke goal by Lina Crowley at 8:31 to even the score at two goals apiece. 
 
Sophomore Alyssa Pisano (Hopewell Junction, NY/Arlington) put UC back on top at 22:42 with her first collegiate goal off a failed clearing attempt by the W&J defense to give the Pioneers a 3-2 lead at halftime.
 
Utica came out flying in the second half earning a penalty corner within the first 25 seconds that led to Scaccia's first goal of the day, off an assist by Jeslyn Files (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport).   Diggan and Crowley connected for the President's third goal at 32:18, but Scaccia's second of the day, also assisted by Files, gave Utica a much needed insurance tally. 
 
Junior Shannon Jedreicich (Deer Park, NY/Half Hollow Hills East) iced the game with three seconds remaining as she put in a feed by Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) for her second of the season.
 
Senior Megan Chamberlain (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) made a season-high 13 saves in the win, while her counterpart, Anastacia Godat finished with five saves.
 
The Pioneers remain home on Wednesday as they host SUNY Brockport in a non-conference contest.  Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.