The Utica University field hockey team beat the Nazareth College Golden Flyers 1-0 in thrilling fashion on Saturday afternoon. The win now puts the Pioneers in third place in the Empire 8 standings with just four games to play.
 
The first quarter saw both teams fighting for possession and looking to generate close shots. Just three minutes into the game both Alyssa Pisano (Hopewell Junction, NY/Arlington) and Shannon Jedreicich (Deer Park, NY/Half Hollow Hills East) fired off a shot yet were saved by Madilyn Satter. Nazareth would take momentum and blast three shots off three corners, yet Lyla Cushman (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) was able to make three excellent saves. Both teams registered another shot, yet the quarter would end scoreless.
 
Utica started the second quarter with its foot on the gas as the team registered four shots off four penalty corners. The Pioneers were setting up its offense well yet could not find the back of the net. Utica controlled the pace for the majority of the quarter, yet Nazareth was able to register a few late penalty corners, but Cushman was able to deny the attempts.
 
The Golden Flyers started the second half with pace and registered three penalty corners and three shots, yet Cushman continued her fantastic play in goal and denied the attempts. In the 35th minute off a Nazareth penalty corner, Utica was able to gain possession and sprint down the field and force a penalty corner. Jedreicich sent in a penalty corner pass and then received a beautiful pass from Chloe Williams (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) to find the back of the net to give the Pioneers a 1-0 advantage early in the third quarter. Both teams continued to battle and each registered three more penalty corners and three shots, yet the score remained 1-0 Utica entering the fourth quarter.
 
Utica continued its fast pace as Jedreicich and Pisano each recorded a shot in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter. The tide would turn as the Golden Flyers would control the pace and keep firing off shots trying to tie the game. Within the last five minutes of play, Nazareth would record six penalty corners and five shots. Yet, the Pioneer defense would hold strong and keep Nazareth off the board and win the game 1-0.
 
The Pioneers played fantastic today and were firing on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Jedreicich led the way with eight shots and the game winning goal. She was followed by Pisano, Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden), and Kylee Wojciechowski (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) who each recorded a shot. Williams recorded an assist on her beautiful pass to Jedreicich and was facilitating all day. Defensively, Wojciechowski and Madison Ranalli (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) both recorded key defensive saves in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter to keep Nazareth off the board. Cushman had a career day as she recorded a career-high 13 saves and her fourth shutout of the season. Utica's defense was fantastic and looks to keep its momentum going as the season progresses.
 
Utica (5-7, 4-2 Empire 8) will head on the road to face Russell Sage on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.