HOUGHTON, NY - The Utica University women's soccer team inched closer to punching its ticket into the Empire 8 Conference Tournament with a 3-0 win over the Houghton University Highlanders on Saturday afternoon. 
 
The sides traded blows throughout the first half however, it was Ro Hernandez (Carmel, NY/Kennedy Catholic) who delivered the knockout blow. Hernandez delivered for an unassisted tally in the 30th minute to put the Pioneers ahead on one of the team's two shots on goal in the first frame. 
 
Utica would go on to take full control over the final 45 minutes of play. Jacinta Kaminski (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) broke through to extend the team's lead to 2-0 in the 58th minute off of a Hernadez assist while Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville ) put the nail in the coffin on an unassisted goal in the 62nd minute as part of a 10-shot half for Utica. 
 
The Highlanders could only muster up one shot in the second as the Pioneers cruised to a road shutout win. 
 
Hernandez and Julianna Beaulieu (Chicopee,MA/Chicopee Comprehensive) combined for eight of Utica's 16 shots while Erin Stalder (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) attempted a pair. In goal, Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) made three saves en route to another shutout as well as her fifth win of the year. 
 
Utica (5-6-4, 3-1-3 Empire 8) will travel to Russell Sage College at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26 for another contest with Empire 8 Tournament implications on the line.