ONEONTA, NY - The Utica University women's lacrosse team took home its first conference win of the season after beating the Hartwick College Hawks by a score of 18-12 on the road Wednesday. 
 
Out of the gate, the Pioneer offense was firing on all cylinders as Daniela Muscari (Millbrook, NY/Millbrook) netted her first of four on the night less than three minutes into the opening frame. Leading the way for the Pioneers was Grace Stuhlman (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) with nine points on a career high six goals and three assists, followed by Muscari with five points on four goals and one assist. Samantha DeCondo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) recorded a hat trick and Abigail Gerling (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) netted two goals. Alyssa Drell (Mastic, NY/William Floyd), Alyssa Pisano (Hopewell Junction, NY/Arlington), and Katie Crofoot (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central) rounded out the scoring for the Pioneers by tallying one apiece. 
 
In goal, Breese Burlingame (Binghamton, NY/Northfield Mount Hermon) picked up her fifth win of the season after making nine saves on 21 shots on goal from the Hawks. 
 
As a team, Utica outshot Hartwick 27-21 on goal despite having four more turnovers. The Pioneers also maintained an edge at the draw, winning 22 of 32 draw controls. 
 
The Pioneers broke open the scoring early, netting five goals in the first 10 minutes of the game, and only allowing the opposition four total shots. The Hawks found the back of the net for the first time with 5:04 remaining in the opening frame. 
 
The second quarter was an offensive onslaught from the Pioneers, as 10 of 18 were scored in the second frame. Utica maintained the momentum for the rest of the game, not allowing the Hawks to come within six goals. 
 
Utica (5-6, 1-2 Empire 8) will return home on Saturday, April 15 to host Medaille University in the second annual Mike Parnell Game. The game is set to begin at noon from Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.