UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's soccer team opened play on Laura M. Casamento Field with a 1-0 victory over the SUNY Potsdam Bears on Tuesday evening. 
 
Sofia Fini (Campbell Hall, NY/Goshen) delivered the difference maker in the first half with her first collegiate goal on what was her lone shot of the night. Natalia Bell (Cortland, NY/Groton) assisted on the tally. Jenna Keeman (Douglas, MA/Douglas) and Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville) fired off a pair of shots as well for what were a combined three on net. In goal, Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) earned a clean sheet with three saves. 
 
The sides were gridlocked through the majority of the first half with no shots registered until Madison Wagner of Potsdam fired one off in the 27th minute. However, Connolly reeled it in to preserve the scoreless tie. 
 
Following unsuccessful looks by Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville) and Jenna Keeman (Douglas, MA/Douglas), Sofia Fini (Campbell Hall, NY/Goshen) recorded her first career goal in the 36th minute off a Natalia Bell (Cortland, NY/Groton) for a 1-0 Utica lead. Through the first 90 minutes the Pioneers outshot the Bears 4-1 (2-1 on goal) and drew a pair of corners to Potsdam's zero. 
 
Potsdam provided more offensive attack in the second half with seven total attempts while Utica remained consistent with five. The lone two looks the Bears put on net were stopped by Connolly in the 58th and 73rd minutes to keep the shutout intact. 
 
The Bears had one final attempt late in the 89th minute that sailed wide which, in turn, snapped the Pioneers' two-game losing skid and pushed Utica to its home-opening win. 
 
Utica (3-2, 0-0 Empire 8) will remain home to host Union College at 7 p.m. on Friday.