UTICA, NY - For the first time in program history, the Utica University women's soccer team earned a victory over the Union College Garnet Chargers with a thrilling 2-1 win on Friday night.
Kayla Giovingo (Centereach, NY/Centereach) and
Kaela Mochak (Westfield, MA/Westfield) were the team's deciding factors in the win with Giovingo notching her first collegiate goal at 48 minutes even while Mochak tallied the game-winner in the 83rd.
Julianna Beaulieu (Southwick, MA/Chicopee Comprehensive) assisted on Mochak's goal as well. In goal,
Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) made three saves en route to earning her fourth win of the year.
Union outshot Utica 10-7 on the night while both teams recorded four looks on net. The teams also forced three corners apiece and drew one yellow card each.
Much of the first half belonged to the Garnet Chargers in their offensive zone. The visitors broke through in the 20th minute as Alayna Boileau trickled the ball between Connolly's legs for a 1-0 lead. Union continued to control the first half with six shots to Utica's two as the game moved into the second.
The game began to shift in Utica's favor in the early minutes of the fresh half. Late in the 48th minute the Pioneers setup for a restart near the box. The kick made its way in front of the net and landed in a perfect spot for Giovingo to proceed with a clean look. Without hesitation, the sophomore found the back of the net for her first career goal as a Pioneer to even the game at 1-1.
The next 30 minutes of play proved to be emotional for both teams with chippy play and a handful of fouls that led both teams to receive yellow cards. With under 10 to play,
Noella Burlette (Manchester, CT/Manchester) had some open space about 30 yards out down the sideline. After some crafty moves the junior crossed it over to Beaulieu who made a quick pass back to Mochak. Mochak immediately lofted the ball on goal as her hanging shot went top-shelf over the outreach of Union goalie Maya Koster for the deciding factor.
Union found itself with a pair of chances over the waning minutes of the contest but could not even the score as the Pioneers notched its first-ever win over the Garnet Chargers.
Utica (4-2, 0-0 Empire 8) will remain home on Wednesday, September 20 to play Hamilton College at 5 p.m.
