MARCY, NY- The Utica College women's soccer team came away with a 2-1 win over crosstown rival SUNY Poly Wednesday evening in non-conference action.  Utica improves to 5-1 on the year, matching its best start to a season since 2012. 
 
After a scoreless first half, the Pioneers broke the deadlock in the 51^st minute as senior Ro Hernandez (Carmel, NY/Kennedy Catholic) sprung Sydney Cook (Waterville, NY/Waterville) who fired a shot from the top right corner of the box that sailed just under the bar for her fourth of the season. 
 
Utica nearly made it 2-0 just 1:46 later when Hernandez beat out Wildcat keeper Katie Bowers for a loose ball towards the lower left corner of the box.  Hernandez looped around to get a better angle then fired a shot towards the waning net, that bounced off the top corner of the woodwork and stayed out. 
 
UC did extend its lead at 72:04 when Gabriela Daumont (Latham, NY/Shaker) fired a corner kick that took and odd bounce that fooled Bowers and ended up in the back of the net for her first career goal.   
 
SUNY Poly spoiled Utica's shutout hopes as Leia Abbott netted her first of the season with just 4:20 remaining.
 
The Pioneers outshot SUNY Poly 27-13 on the day, including 20-4 in the second half.  Sophomore Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) finished with seven saves in the win, while Bowers made nine saves for the home team.
 
Utica returns to action on Tuesday as it hosts RPI.  Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.