UTICA, NY - Behind a late game-winning goal by Alyssa Pisano (Hopewell Junction, NY/Arlington), the Utica University field hockey team earned its first Empire 8 win of the season on Wednesday with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Russell Sage Gators. 
 
Pisano's goal at 57:53 was her ninth of the season as well as her second game-winner of the year. Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) also scored an unassisted goal midway through the first quarter. Defensively, Christina Jackson (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport) and Madison Ranalli (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) each had one defensive save while goalie Hannah Young (Jordanville, NY/Little Falls) notched her first career win following a four save performance. 
 
As a team, the Pioneers outshot the Gators 13-10 and 8-7 on goal. Both sides drew a plethora of penalty corners with Utica holding a 14-13 edge. 
 
It didn't take too long for the Pioneers to provide an offensive with their first goal coming just under seven minutes in. Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) used her speed to her advantage and split a pair of defenders to get within the crease and fired a shot just past the outreached stretch of Sage goalie Jaia Caron for a 1-0 lead. 
 
Through the remainder of the first, the Pioneers held Sage to just one shot while they had three of their own sail wide as the game moved into the second. Neither side could break through, both teams attempting two shots, to keep the score 1-0 Utica going into halftime. 
 
Sage found momentum in the new half, outshooting the Pioneers 6-0 over the third quarter. On its fifth look of the frame, Amy Stevens of the Gators finally put her team on the board to even the score at 1-1. Sage looked to have the go-ahead goal in the closing seconds of the third however, Ranalli made an excellent stop for her 13th defensive save and kept the game even going into the final quarter. 
 
The Pioneers had full control of the quarter with seven penalty corners and six shots before finally breaking through for the go-ahead goal. Off of a Shannon Jedreicich (Deer Park, NY/Half Hollow Hills East) missed shot, Pisano collected the rebound near cage and rifled the ball into the back for what would be the game-winning score. 
 
However, Sage had one final push. Alyssa Fitzgerald found herself on a one-on-none breakaway but would be denied as Hannah Young (Jordanville, NY/Little Falls) came up and made the clutch save with 33 seconds remaining. 
 
Utica (3-8, 1-2 Empire 8) will remain home to host Nazareth University at 4 p.m. on Saturday for what will be the team's Senior Day.