UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's lacrosse team faces a tough test this weekend as it travels to play the nationally ranked no. 25 St. John Fisher Cardinals this Saturday at 1 p.m. This is the first Empire 8 matchup for both of the teams this season.
 
On The Turf: The last time the Pioneers stepped on the turf they pulled out a victory against the SUNY Canton Kangaroos with a final score of 15-11. Canton controlled the first half jumping out to a 2-0 lead early on and ending the first half up 7-5. Utica made some halftime adjustments that led them to net six goals in the third quarter and take the game back under their control. The Pioneer's scoring efforts were boosted by four goals from Emily Rossi (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill). Another contributor to the Utica offense was Samantha Decondo who found the back of the net three times. Ashley Guerra (Ionia, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima ), Alyssa Drell (Mastic, NY/William Floyd), and Addison Green (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) all added two goals each as well to improve the Pioneer's record to 5-1 this season.
 
Quick Draw: Senior Lexi Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) recorded a season-high 10 draw controls against Canton, and she now needs just four more to become only the third player in program history to collect 200 draw controls in a career. Scaccia ranks fourth in the Empire 8 in draw controls per contest, averaging 4.3. Scaccia is currently sixth in Utica's record book with 151 career points (107 goals, 44 assists).
 
Rossi's Rules: Senior Emily Rossi (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) is enjoying the best season of her career.  Rossi has already reached new career highs in goals (12), assists (nine), and points (21).  Her 21 points on the year currently lead the team.  Rossi has tallied at least one point in each game so far this year. 
 
Big D: The Utica defense currently leads the conference in scoring defense, allowing 58 total goals on the season and 9.67 goals per game.  Sophomore Aana Blaszka (Hampstead, NH/Pinkerton Academy) leads the squad with 17 ground balls on the year, while Lexi Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) has a team-leading nine caused turnovers.  Among goalies who have played at least 60 minutes on the season, senior Claire Frier (Lafayette, NY/Lafayette) ranks second in the conference in both goals against average (9.62) and save percentage (.505).  
 
Scouting Fisher: Despite having a record of 1-5 coming into the contest the St. John Fisher Cardinals are still ranked no. 25 in the nation. This has to do with the strength of schedule they have played thus far. Four out of the six opponents the Cardinals have had are nationally ranked, including number one Salisbury University. Courtney O'dea leads Fisher in points with 16 so far this season, consisting of 10 goals and 6 assists.
 
A Look Ahead: After this weekend's contest with Fisher the Pioneers will have a few days off before they host Hartwick on Wednesday at 4 p.m.