UTICA, NY – The Utica University women's basketball team looks to build on its season-opening victory against RPI with a three game slate this week. The Pioneers will travel to Alfred State on Monday before hosting SUNY Delhi on Wednesday for the team's home opener. The team will conclude the week on the road for a matchup against Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Thursday. 
 
Follow Along: Alfred State will provide live video through https://bit.ly/3GbN4Tl and live stats via https://bit.ly/3Twi17P. Those unable to attend Wednesday's home match can tune in with live video and/or stats through https://bit.ly/2wtxUV5. MCLA will provide live video at https://bit.ly/3E0QNAy and live stats via https://bit.ly/3EuUrUE.  
 
Last Time Out: The Pioneers began its season last Wednesday with a 70-61 victory over RPI. It was a group effort in the game as four Pioneers reached double figures in scoring. Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) led the way with a team-high 18 points on 9/16 shooting along with five rebounds and two assists. Freshman Madelyn Cozzens (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) made an impact in her first collegiate game with 13 points, a team-leading nine rebounds, a steal, and a block. Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial) finished with 11 points in her first game back for the Pioneers after a two-year absence. Veteran guard Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) had a strong, well-rounded showing as well with 10 points, five assists, four rebounds, and a steal. 
 
Veteran Presence: Geraci, Soriano, and DeMarco combined for 39 of the team's 70 points and have shown to be reliant scorers throughout their careers. Geraci looks to continue her efficient scoring and has shown to be a physical player down low who can grab boards for the team. Geraci's 18 points were the most on the Pioneers and her efficient scoring looks to make her one of the Pioneer's main scoring options this season. Meanwhile, throughout their careers, Soriano and DeMarco have been known to spread the floor with their three-point shooting while filling the stat sheet with rebounds and assists. Against RPI, Soriano shot lights out from beyond the arc hitting three of four attempts while DeMarco did it all for the team as she compiled 10 points, five assists, and four rebounds and helped the team set up its offense. These three players will use their experience to help guide the Pioneers to victories this season. 
 
New Contributors: The Pioneers looked to five freshmen for contributions in its win over RPI. Freshmen Madelyn Cozzens (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), and Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Shalmont) both started the game for the Pioneers and played big roles in the win. Cozzens was a force on the glass as she grabbed nine rebounds to go along with her 13 points in the contest. She displayed the ability to draw fouls in the matchup as she went a stellar 7/8 from the free throw line in the contest. Burchhardt got in some early foul trouble but bounced back to deliver a solid game of her own with seven points, four assists, and three rebounds. Cristina Negron (Easthampton, MA/Williston Northampton), Sierra Kinne (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), and Karlee Nims (Hartford, NY/Hartford) saw minutes off the bench for the Pioneers as well. Negron added six points and two steals, while Kinne and Nims combined for three rebounds in the matchup. 
 
Scouting Alfred State: Alfred State had a record of 11-14 in 2021-22 and is now 0-2 to start this season. The team dropped its most recent game against SUNY Delhi 79-74 on Saturday and is winless at home to start the year. Alfred State relies on Myah Fox and Taylor Benjamin for the majority of its scoring and both have eclipsed over 46 points already in just two games. The team does well down low as it has two players averaging double-digit rebounds yet has been turnover prone with 23 turnovers this season. 
 
Scouting SUNY Delhi: SUNY Delhi comes into the 2022-23 season with a fresh look with 10 new players. They return top scorer, Angelica Lazo, who averaged 14.1 in 2022 along with senior Justine Lubbers who was a consistent starter all last season. The Broncos dropped their season opener against Houghton 66-36, yet bounced back with a win over Alfred State to begin the season 1-1. The team has done very well at spreading the ball as it features four players averaging double-digit points while Ma'Kira Busnie and Jayda Allen are averaging more than 10 rebounds a game and have been a force on the glass. 
 
Scouting MCLA: MCLA enters the 2022-23 season with three seniors on the team to go along with 10 freshmen to round out the roster. They are led by senior Brooke DiGennaro who averaged 15.5 points per game last season. In the 2021-22 season, MCLA finished with a record of 1-23. This year the team already has more wins as they are 2-1 to begin the new campaign. Zaylee Ramos and DiGennaro have been a prolific scoring duo as the two combine for a whopping 39.6 points per game. The team faces St. Joseph (Connecticut) on Tuesday before clashing with the Pioneers.  
 
Up Next: After this week, Utica will be off until November 29 when they travel a short distance for a matchup with SUNY Poly at 5 p.m.