ALBANY, NY - The Utica University women's soccer team fell on the road to the Russell Sage College Gators 1-0 on Wednesday afternoon. 
 
The Pioneers began the game on the offensive attack as Hope Millets (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) had a shot sail wide while Ro Hernandez (Carmel, NY/Kennedy Catholic) had one saved within the first three minutes of action. Sage attempted its first shot of the game towards the end of the fourth minute that found its way into the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage. 
 
Utica and Sage went neck-and-neck over the final 40 minutes of first half play however, neither defense budged as the Gators went into the break with the one goal lead. The Pioneers upped the offense pace in the second half as the team outshot Sage 9-5. Three early looks by Kaela Mochak (Westfield, MA/Westfield) were all saved while other Utica attempts were also denied as the Gators went on to secure the shutout win. 
 
Mochak led the Pioneers with four shots while Ro Hernandez (Carmel, NY/Kennedy Catholic) and Jacinta Kaminski (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) both had three. In goal, Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) made seven saves in the losing effort. 
 
All eyes will be turned to Houghton, NY tonight as the Highlanders go up against the Medaille University Mavericks. If Medaille wins or ties with Houghton, the Pioneers would secure an Empire 8 Conference Tournament berth. With a Houghton win, Utica would have another opportunity to clinch on Saturday. 
 
Utica (5-7-4, 3-2-3 Empire 8) concludes its regular season at 3 p.m. on Saturday against Hartwick College from Pioneer Field.