UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's soccer team is set to wrap up its homestand with two games this week. The contest against Hamilton College will be held on Wednesday, September 20 at 5 p.m., while the game against Alfred University will be held on Saturday, September 23 at 4 p.m.
Follow Along: Those unable to attend can keep up with live video and/or stats
here.
Last Time Out: During their last game, the Pioneers beat the Union College Dutchmen for the first time in program history 2-1 in a dramatic comeback win. Deadlocked for a majority of the game, both the Pioneers and the Continentals recorded four shots on goal, three corners, and one offsides call. Being outshot 10-7, Utica relied on clinical finishers to bring the result home. After conceding in the 20th minute of the contest, the Pioneers showed determination to come back in a dramatic fashion. Just after halftime,
Kayla Giovingo (Centereach, NY/Centereach) scored the leveler at 48 minutes, changing the tides of the game. The game winning goal was scored at 83 minutes by
Kaela Mochak (Westfield, MA/Westfield) who received a quick pass in the box from
Julianna Beaulieu (Southwick, MA/Chicopee Comprehensive).
Offensive Presence: Leading the attack is
Jazmyn Gillette (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy),
Kaela Mochak (Westfield, MA/Westfield), and
Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville) who have made their mark early on this season. In the Empire 8, the Pioneers are second with 12 goals scored from eight assists for a total of 32 points. They are also second in shots with 88 taken putting 48 of them on target. In the conference, Jazmyn Gillete is tied for first in goals with three, scoring one against SUNY Morrisville and two against SUNY Poly. She is also second in points recorded.
Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville) is tied for first in assists with three tallying two against SUNY Morrisville and one against SUNY Poly.
Defensive Unit: Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) leads her team and has commanded her back line of
Cora Kraft (Poughquag, NY/Arlington),
Kayla Giovingo (Centereach, NY/Centereach), and
Samantha Kogut (North Adams, MA/Drury). As a result, Utica is leading the Empire 8 with the least amount of fouls with only 26, averaging just 4.33 per game. Connolly has started in all six games played back between the posts, where she has made 23 saves, only allowing four to slip by. Connolly leads the Empire 8 in saves, as well as average goals allowed, averaging .715 goals per game.
Scouting Hamilton: The Hamilton College Continentals are 2-0-2 overall and are 1-0-2 in the NESCAC league. The Continentals are coming off a two win streak with a 2-0 win against Oswego State and a 2-1 win against No. 14 Middlebury College. Erin Rayhill is leading her team with four goals scored and is second in the league for shots taken. Clare Robinson has started between the posts and has recorded a save percentage of .933. Having not lost to Utica since 2009, the Continentals are looking to extend their streak. However, coming off a first program win against Union College, the Pioneers are looking to piece together another impressive win.
Alfred Preview: The Alfred University Saxons are 1-3-2 overall and in the Empire 8 are 0-0-1. After starting the season off with three consecutive losses against SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Oneonta, and Rochester, Alfred has been unbeaten across their last three competitions. Abby Scanian is leading her team with three goals with two coming in their 5-0 win against Pitt- Bradford. Alyssa Smith has provided support from the midfield recording two goals and an assist. Kiani Barnard-Pratt sees the majority of time in net with 41 saves, a .788 save percentage, against 70 shots faced this season.
Up Next: The Pioneers will travel to Hartwick College on Wednesday, September 27 at 6 p.m.
