UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's lacrosse team is set for a busy weekend as it plays two games over a three-day span. The Pioneers start off their week on Thursday when the team travels to Wells College for a 4 p.m. game. On Saturday, Utica returns home to host Keuka College at noon in Empire 8 action.
Last Time Out: Utica had a dominant performance against Alfred last Saturday, coming away with a 22-5 win in E8 play. Graduate student
Ashley Guerra (Ionia, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima ) led the way for the Pioneers as she posted six goals and added three assists.
Lexi Scaccia (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) added three goals for Utica while
Emily Rossi (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill),
Samantha DeCondo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro),
Mara Cunningham (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury), and
Alyssa Drell (Mastic, NY/William Floyd) scored two.
Claire Frier (Lafayette, NY/Lafayette) and
Shaylynn Palmer (Kirkville, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) split time in goal for the Pioneers, combining for three saves on the day.
Leading the Way: Junior
Samantha DeCondo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) leads the team with 35 points (22 goals, 13 assists). Her mark of 3.5 points per game ranks fifth in the conference while ranking sixth with 1.3 assists per game and ninth averaging 2.2 goals per outing. She is also second on the squad in goals scored. DeCondo has scored at least one point in all but one game so far this year.
Guerra's Groove: Graduate student
Ashley Guerra (Ionia, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima ) totaled 15 points in two games last week en route to being named the Empire 8 Conference Player of the Week on Monday. Guerra is now third on the team with 30 points on 20 goals and 10 assists. Utica is 5-2 this season when Guerra scores at least one goal.
The Real Rossi: Emily Rossi (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) is second on the Pioneers with 33 total points so far this season. Those points consist of an almost even goal to assist ratio of 17 goals and 16 assists. Rossi is ranked first in the Empire 8 in assists per game at 1.6, and her mark of 16 total assists ranks second in the conference. Not only does Rossi average the most assists per game in the Empire 8 but so does the entire Pioneer unit. Led by Rossi the team averages a healthy 6.6 assists per game.
Parnell Day: On Saturday, the Utica lacrosse family will celebrate the life of men's Head Coach Mike Parnell. The women's and men's teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday and at halftime of the 3 p.m. men's game, Parnell's jersey will be retired following a brief ceremony. Coach Parnell passed away unexpectedly in December while his legacy and impact on the Utica lacrosse family and Utica University will always be remembered.
A Look at Wells: The Wells Express women's lacrosse team is 3-8 so far this season, losing their last matchup to Medaille, 19-1. The bright spot for the Express is goalie Lauren Spiegel, who is second in the United East Conference in saves with a mark of 115 through 11 games. The Pioneers are 10-0 all-time against the Express, winning their last matchup with a score of 14-3 back in 2008.
Scouting Keuka: The Keuka College Wolves are 3-6 so far this season, losing their last three contests to Empire 8 opponents Nazareth, Sage, and Hartwick. The Wolves defense is led by Jillian McGinley who is first in the Empire 8 in caused turnovers thus far. The offensive attack for the Wolves is sparked by Sadie Bonetti, who is second in the Empire 8 in total points per game with an average of four. The Pioneers are 7-1 all-time against the Wolves, the last matchup being a Utica victory with a score of 20-4.
What's Next: After the weekend is over the Pioneers will look towards next week which starts with a hometown matchup on the road against SUNY Poly on Wednesday. Game time is at 4 p.m.
