UTICA, NY - In one of the first cold and windy games the Utica University women's soccer team has played in this year, the Pioneers and Keuka College Wolves battled to a scoreless draw in a defensive grudge match on Wednesday afternoon. 
 
While defense turned out to be the story of the afternoon, the offenses for both teams came out of the gates quick. Kaela Mochak (Westfield, MA/Westfield) fired off a shot that was saved in the 3rd minute while Jacinta Kaminski (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) got a look on goal in the 13th minute. Keuka also registered a pair of shots that sailed high over the first 16 minutes of play. Over the final 20 minutes, Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville ) and Julianna Beaulieu (Chicopee,MA/Chicopee Comprehensive) had decent scoring chances, however, both shots were saved by Keuka goalkeeper Sam Pelcher. 
 
Through the first 45 minutes of play Utica outshot the Wolves 8-7 including 4-2 on goal. 
 
Keuka began the second half with offensive momentum as the visitors registered three shots and a corner kick through the first 13 minutes while Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) made one stop out of the three looks. Three of the Pioneers' five second half shots came by Kaminski over the final seven minutes of play. An 84th minute attempt sailed high while her first shot in the 90th minute was saved on a top-shelf attempt. With five seconds left, Kaminski found herself in position for a header but was denied on another full-stretch save by Pelcher to preserve the draw. 
 
Kaminski led Utica with five shots while her and Lamphere each had a pair on goal. Ro Hernandez (Carmel, NY/Kennedy Catholic) also got off three shots in the first half. In goal, Connolly recorded five saves including a clutch one in the 70th minute on a 20-yard Keuka free kick. The defense of Samantha Kogut (North Adams, MA/Drury), Jenna Keeman (Douglas, MA/Douglas), Lindsay Fleshman (Owings, MD/Northern ) and company were ballhawks through the afternoon to help limit the Wolves' scoring opportunities. 
 
Utica (4-6-4, 2-1-3 Empire 8) will travel to Houghton University at 4 p.m. on Saturday for a pivotal contest against the Highlanders, who currently trail the Pioneers by two points in the Empire 8 standings.