UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's soccer team ends its four-game road trip this week by starting a four-game homestand. The Pioneers take on SUNY Potsdam on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before hosting Union College on Friday at 7 p.m. 
 
Follow Along: Those unable to attend can keep up with live video and/or stats via https://portal.stretchinternet.com/utica/. 
 
Last Time Out: Utica was outshot 23-10 as well as 12-4 on goal throughout the game. Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) made a game- high ten saves in the losing effort. Julianna Beaulieu (Southwick, MA/Chicopee Comprehensive), Cora Kraft (Poughquag, NY/Arlington), Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville) and Natalia Bell (Cortland, NY/Groton) each recorded one shot on goal for Utica. In the first half, Utica's offense was able to get off four shots compared to Fredonia's 12. Defensively, goalkeeper Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) recorded four saves on 12 shots. Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville) and Cora Kraft (Poughquag, NY/Arlington) each had one shot on goal. Fredonia controlled the tempo through the first half of play. The Devils struck first in the 38th minute, as Grace Mackey found Bronwyn Madden to give Fredonia a 1-0 lead. The Pioneers could not capitalize the rest of the half as the team went into halftime trailing by one. Goalkeeper Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) held the Devil's scoreless through the first 40 minutes in the second half. However, the Pioneers put pressure on Fredonia with back to back shots on goal in the 72 and 73 minute of play. Late in the second, in the 80th minute, Katie Sellers found Grace Mackey as she recorded her second point of the afternoon. 
 
Power Duo: Jazmyn Gillette (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy) and Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville) have been hot out of the gates through the first four games of the year. With their strong play early on, the Pioneers lead the Empire 8 with nine goals, six assists, 24 points, 72 shots and 40 shots on goal. Gillette sits first in the Empire 8 in goals and she is tied with one other player in the league with six points in only three matches. She is tied for ninth place in the Empire 8 with only five shots on goal. Against SUNY Poly, she scored two goals with only three shots on net. Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville) leads the Empire 8 with three assists and sits in fourth in the conference totaling six points. She is on pace to top her season-high in points from last season which was eight. 
 
Young Defense: The defensive side has seen plenty of young talent over the course of four matches. Freshman Cora Kraft (Poughquag, NY/Arlington) and sophomores Kayla Giovingo (Centereach, NY/Centereach) and Samantha Kogut (North Adams, MA/Drury) have played lights out in all four games. Kraft has played in every game this season and has totaled  90 minutes in each match. The trio has helped Utica allow only four goals in four games for a 1.00 goals against average - a mark that's tied for the E8 lead with St. John Fisher. The Utica defense has steered keep opposing teams away from the box as Utica has held opponents to just 10 shots per game, as well as roughly five shots on goal per game. 
 
Between The Net: Courtney Connolly's (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) presence has been felt over the course of four matches.  She has allowed only three goals while compiling 17 saves on her sheet. Connolly sits at the top in goalie stats leading the Empire 8 with just three goals allowed and a .834 goals against average while sitting third in the league with a .850 save percentage. 
 
Scouting Potsdam: The SUNY Potsdam Bears are 2-1 overall and 0-0 in the SUNYAC. The team is coming off a 1-0 loss to Skidmore on Saturday. Entering Tuesday evening, the Bears have four different goal scorers. Sarah Emmi, Adrianna Orlando, Madison Wagner and Morgan Williams. Emmi's 12 shots and seven shots on goal leads the team. In goal, Savannah Bowie has started the first three matches and has allowed only one goal, compiling 16 saves and a .941 save percentage. The Bears lead the all-time series against the Pioneers at 11-7-1 including a win in last season's matchup, 3-2. Utica has, however, taken two of the last three meetings dating back to 2019. 
 
About Union: The Union College Garnet Chargers are 2-1 overall and 0-0 in the Liberty League. The team is coming off a 2-0 win over WPI on Saturday afternoon. Sam Friedman leads the Garnet Chargers with two goals. Taylor Bovardi, Alayna Bioleau and Gillian Paseka each have one goal apiece. Cassidy Careccia leads the team with two assists, Delaney McNinch, Gianna Pentland and Ashley Sheldon have one assist each. In goal, Rachel Berliner has started all three matches. She has only one goal against and is sporting a .833 save percentage.
 
Next Up: The Pioneers will host Hamilton College on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and Saturday the team will open up Empire 8 play against Alfred University at 4 p.m.