UTICA, NY - The Utica University field hockey team will travel to the University at Albany to face Russell Sage College on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The team then returns home to host Medaille University on Saturday at 5 p.m.
 
Follow Along: Sage will provide live stats through https://bit.ly/3CEg9nf. Those unable to attend Saturday's home game can tune in with live video and/or stats through https://bit.ly/2wtxUV5. 
 
Last Time Out: The team beat the Nazareth College Golden Flyers 1-0 in thrilling fashion on Saturday afternoon. After a quiet first half, the Golden Flyers started the second half with pace and registered three penalty corners and three shots, yet Lyla Cushman (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) 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. Shannon Jedreicich (Deer Park, NY/Half Hollow Hills East) 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. The tide would turn in the fourth quarter 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. However, the Pioneer defense would hold strong and keep Nazareth off the board and win the game 1-0. Offensively, Jedreicich led the way with eight shots and the game-winning goal. She was followed by Alyssa Pisano (Hopewell Junction, NY/Arlington), Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden), and Kylee Wojciechowski (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) who each recorded a shot. 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.
 
Where We Stand: Utica is in third place in the Empire 8 standings with a 4-2 mark in Empire 8 play and can secure a postseason berth this week. The team's next two games are against Medaille and Sage who sport a combined record of 3-20 overall and 2-9 in Empire 8 play. The Pioneers are currently third in the Empire 8 in goals allowed as the team's defense has been outstanding allowing 2.25 goals per game.
 
Cushing It: Lyla Cushman (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) has been crushing it in net this season and has only improved as the season progresses. The sophomore has 49 saves this season paired with four shutouts. The Holland Patent, NY native won Empire 8 Co-Defensive Player of the Week after her stellar performance over the past week which included 18 saves and a shutout. Cushman set a career-high 13 saves against Nazareth in one of the best games of her young career and looks to keep her momentum going forward as the team prepares for a playoff push.
 
Lockdown Defense: The Pioneer's defense has been terrific, specifically Madison Ranalli (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) who has been a top defender this season. The junior is second in NCAA Division III with an outstanding 10 defensive saves this season. She averages .83 defensive saves per game and has been a focal point of Utica's premiere defense. The Cicero, NY native is having the best statistical season of her career and looks to keep her stellar defense going into the crucial stretch of the season.
 
Scorching Offense: The Pioneers duo of Alyssa Pisano (Hopewell Junction, NY/Arlington) and Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) have been lethal this season as the two are both top-10 in the Empire 8 in goals. Pisano is tied for fourth in the E8 with nine goals and has netted four goals in her last three games. Mix has eight goals this season which ranks her tied for fifth in the Empire 8. The duo has both accumulated over 20 points this season and have been great at finding the back of the net as well as assisting teammates as both are top-10 in the Empire 8 in assists. Shannon Jedreicich (Deer Park, NY/Half Hollow Hills East) is tied for sixth in the Empire 8 with five assists and has been terrific at setting up her teammates. The Pioneers offensive attack looks to continue its success and stay hot as the regular season winds down.
 
Scouting Sage: The Gators are 0-11 this season including 0-6 in Empire 8 contests. On Saturday, the team fell to Houghton 11-0 in its most recent match. Sage is led by Alyssa Fitzgerald who has two goals and Shauna Lanoue also has one goal this season. The Gators have three players with more than two points this season and its offense runs through these players. In net, Sage rotates between Jaia Caron and Anna Church, both sport over 66 saves and a .606 save percentage. Sage has been struggling to produce offense as the team has been outscored this season 84-3.
 
Medaille Preview: The Mavericks are 3-9 this season and 2-3 in Empire 8 competition. Medaille lost its last match on Saturday 4-0 against Keuka. The Maverick's offense is powered by freshman standout Cassie Deppner who has eight goals which are tied for fifth in the Empire 8. The team has done well at facilitating as five players have an assist on the season. In net, Kristyn Clare sports a .718 save percentage with an Empire 8 leading 155 saves this season.

Up Next: The team will travel to face Skidmore College on Wednesday, October 26 at 3:30 p.m for its final non-conference contest of the season.