UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's soccer team opened Empire 8 play in a big way on Saturday evening with a 6-0 victory over the Medaille University Mavericks on Senior Day. 
 
The Pioneers dominated the first half as the team-out shot the Mavericks 20-2 through the first 45 minutes. Ro Hernandez (Carmel, NY/Kennedy Catholic) began Utica's scoring surge with an 18th minute goal off of an assist by Mikayla Kelley (Ballston Spa/Ballston Spa). Gabriela Daumont (Latham, NY/Shaker) followed up nearly 1:30 later with her second strike of the season with the assist coming from Samantha Kogut (North Adams, MA/Drury). 
 
Rory Richard (Barneveld, NY/Holland Patent ) recorded her second goal of the season as well in the 39th minute with Hernandez receiving credit for the assist. Hernandez continued her monster first half with her fifth goal of the season in the 41st minute to give the Pioneers a 4-0 lead entering halftime. 
 
Utica kept control throughout the game's final 45 minutes as Hope Millets (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) drilled a senior day goal, her first of the season, coming from a dish by Hernandez. Noella Burlette (Manchester, CT/Manchester) also scored her first goal of the season on a self-rebound in the 76th minute to put the finishing touches on Utica's shutout win. 
 
The Pioneers finished the evening with a 34-6 advantage in shots led by Hernandez and Daumont with six shots each. Utica also finished with a 4-0 edge in corner kicks. Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) earned her second win of the season after recording one save in her lone half of play while Cierra Doolen (Frankfort, NY/Central Valley Academy ) also made a save over the final 45 minutes of play. 
 
Utica (2-4-1, 1-0 Empire 8) will travel to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for a non-conference battle at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27.