NEW PALTZ, NY - The Utica University field hockey team fell in its season opener to the SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons, 7-1, on Friday at the SUNY New Paltz Invitational.
The Pioneers fired off 15 shots, nine on goal, with
Alyssa Pisano (Hopewell Junction, NY/Arlington) coming through for the lone tally of the game for the team. Oneonta converted seven of 13 shots on goal in the game while totaling 18 shots in all.
Shannon Jedreicich (Deer Park, NY/Half Hollow Hills East) led the team with four shots, three on goal, while
Emily Frank (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown) had a pair that were stopped.
Nicole Servider (Westbury, NY/W.T. Clarke) recorded a defensive save in her first collegiate outing as well.
Desirae Baumann (Accord, NY/Rondout Valley) was credited with the loss in her first career start as she made three saves and allowed five goals over nearly 33 minutes in the cage.
Hannah Young (Jordanville, NY/Little Falls) made her first career appearance at goalie as well, making two saves and allowing two goals over nearly 27 minutes of action.
Oneonta got off to a hot start in the first half with a pair of first and second period goals to lead 4-0 at the break. Utica had a few good looks on goal off penalty corners in the first period but could not come through to get on the board.
The Red Dragons extended its lead to 5-0 just two minutes into the third before Pisano broke through seven minutes later to bring the Pioneers back within four. However, Oneonta would deny Utica a comeback attempt as it would score twice more in the fourth to pull away with the win.
Utica (0-1, 0-0 Empire 8) will take on SUNY New Paltz at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
