UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's soccer team opened Pioneer Field and the 2022 season with fireworks after a 6-0 win over SUNY Poly on Thursday night. 
 
Just 6:47 into the game, Ro Hernandez (Carmel, NY/Kennedy Catholic) put the Pioneers ahead thanks to a sneaky pass by Jacinta Kaminski (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) for a 1-0 lead. Sophomore Rory Richard (Barneveld, NY/Holland Patent ) doubled the team's lead about four minutes before halftime as Kaminski found the newcomer for her first career goal as a Pioneer. 
 
Utica's offense used its momentum from late in the first half to go on and explode for four second half goals. Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville ) netted her first career goal eight minutes into the second period while Julianna Beaulieu (Chicopee,MA/Chicopee Comprehensive) followed by scoring her first career goal less than one minute later for a 4-0 lead. Nearly 50 seconds after Beaulieu's goal, Hernandez scored her second of the night, this time unassisted. 
 
The final goal of the night was Beaulieu's second at the 67:59 mark as Kaminski found the junior off of a corner kick about five yards in front of the net as the team cruised to an opening night 6-0 win. 
 
Overall, the Pioneers outshot the Wildcats 28-3 including 17-1 in shots on goal. Hernandez and Beaulieu combined for four goals on seven shots on goal while Kaminski quietly dished out four assists. Goalkeeper Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) earned the win after recording one save in limited action her way. 
 
Utica (1-0, 0-0 Empire 8) will return to action at 2 p.m. on Saturday when the team travels to Schenectady, NY to take on Union College.