UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's lacrosse team will be back at home this Wednesday to start the team's second three-game homestand of the season. The Pioneers take on the Hartwick Hawks at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.
 
Follow Along: Fans who cannot be in attendance for the game can watch via live stream and/or keep up with live stats through https://portal.stretchinternet.com/utica/.
 
Last Time Out: Utica suffered a 16-4 loss against the nationally-ranked St. John Fisher Cardinals this past weekend in the team's 2022 Empire 8 Conference opener. Despite taking an early 2-1 lead, the Pioneers allowed the Cardinals to score eight unanswered goals which ultimately decided the game. Seniors Ashley Guerra (Ionia, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima ) (two goals) and Emily Rossi (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) (one goals, one assist) led the way for Utica with two points each. Sophomore Tracy Moreno (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) was the additional goal scorer for the Pioneers, while junior Samantha DeCondo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and sophomore Alyssa Pisano (Hopewell Junction, NY/Arlington) each had one assist. Senior goaltender Claire Frier (Lafayette, NY/Lafayette) made six saves in the loss.
 
Rowdy Rossi: Despite only playing seven games so far this season, senior Emily Rossi (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) has had her best season ever in a Utica uniform. In fact, Rossi has scored more points this season (23) than her first three seasons combined (19). Rossi's 23 points and 10 assists currently lead the team, while her 13 goals are ranked third on the team. Rossi is also the only Pioneer to score at least one point in each game this season.
 
Blaszka the Ball Hawk: Sophomore Aana Blazska has been nothing short of a defensive menace for the Pioneers this season. Blazska currently leads the team with 20 ground balls and she is tied for second on the team with nine caused turnovers. Blazska is currently eighth in the Empire 8 in ground balls per game.
 
Shooting And Scoring: The Pioneers currently lead the Empire 8 in two major offensive categories. Utica is first in the conference with 34.29 shots per game, which is over five more per game than the second place Russell Sage Gators. The Pioneers are also tied with Hartwick College for total goals (87) and goals per game (12.43).
 
Conference Outlook: Despite losing the first Empire 8 Conference matchup of the season, Utica still holds on to the best overall record in the conference at 5-2. Hartwick is currently first in the conference at 4-2 (1-0 E8), Russell Sage is second at 4-5 (1-0 E8) and St. John Fisher rounds out the top three at 2-5 (1-0 E8). These three teams are currently the only teams in the conference to beat fellow conference opponents.
 
Scouting Hartwick: The Hawks currently have the second best overall record in the Empire 8 (4-2) while trailing only Utica in total wins. Hartwick is led by freshmen Kristen Vaccarelli (17 goals, five assists), Gabrielle Stringer (nine goals, 11 assists), Katrina Marten (eight goals, 10 assists), and senior Emily Schaub (14 goals, four assists). Freshman goaltender Samantha Miller is also second in the Empire 8 with a 9.36 goals against average. Utica is 13-7 all-time against Hartwick and have won the last 13 matchups between the two teams. The last time the teams played was on April 7, 2021, where Utica won 16-8, thanks in part to a five-goal outburst from Samantha DeCondo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro).
 
Looking Ahead: After Wednesday's matchup, the Pioneers will be at home for two more games as they take on Cazenovia College at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, and Russell Sage College at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13.