Box Score UTICA, NY - The Utica University Pioneers women's soccer team opened Empire 8 play drawing 2-2 with the Alfred University Saxons on Saturday evening. 
 
The Pioneers and Saxons played a close and competitive match. Utica edged Alfred in shots 13-8, while the Saxons held a 7-6 shot on goal advantage. Utica outshot Alfred in the second half, 9-4. 
 
Julianna Beaulieu (Southwick, MA/Chicopee Comprehensive), Samantha Kogut (North Adams, MA/Drury), Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville), Noella Burlette (Manchester, CT/Manchester), Mikayla Kelley (Ballston Spa/Ballston Spa) and Jazmyn Gillette (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy) each recorded one shot on goal. 
 
In the first half, the Pioneers had multiple scoring chances but could not capitalize. In the 38th minute Alfred's Olivia Gilbert found Abby Wilson after a scramble in front of the goal to put the Saxon's up 1-0. 
 
Midway through the second half, Jazmyn Gillette (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy) capitalized on an assist from Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville) in at the 64th minute tying the game 1-1. Gillette currently leads Utica with four goals in six games, while Lamphere extends her assist total to four. Nearly 15 minutes later, defender Jenna Keeman (Douglas, MA/Douglas) recorded her first assist of the season after she found Mikayla Kelley (Ballston Spa/Ballston Spa) in front of the net to give Utica a 2-1 lead in the 79th minute. The Saxon's didn't go away as Abby Wilson notched her second goal of the game at the 82nd minute to tie the match 2-2. 
 
Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) started in net for Utica posting five saves with a .714 save percentage. 
 
Utica (4-3-1, 0-0-1 Empire 8) travels to Oneonta for a matchup against Hartwick College on Wednesday, September 27 at 6 p.m.