UTICA, NY - The Utica University field hockey team is set to host SUNY Oswego on Wednesday, September 27 at 7 p.m. to wrap up its three-game homestand.
Follow Along: Those unable to attend either of this week's home games can tune in for live video and/or stats
here.
Last Time Out: The Utica University field hockey team fell in its first conference matchup of the season versus Houghton University by a score of 6-0 on Saturday evening.
Jocelyn Spiezio (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) recorded a season best, three shots with two of them falling on goal in the team's losing effort.
Madison Ranalli (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) and
Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) each recorded a shot, with Ranalli's effort falling on goal. Between the pipes,
Hannah Young (Jordanville, NY/Little Falls) and
Desirae Baumann (Accord, NY/Rondout Valley) combined for eight saves.
Madison Ranalli (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) also recorded three defensive saves. The Houghton Highlanders opened the scoring less than two minutes into the first quarter. A trio of corners for Houghton would result in the Highlanders pulling away 2-0. Houghton would then go on to close out the first quarter with a 3-0 lead. The second quarter would cause another two goals for the Highlanders, with the Pioneers down 5-0 going into halftime. The second half was quiet for both sides, as the Highlanders would not score again until the waning minutes of the final quarter.
Can't Get It By Us: Through eight games, the Pioneers' defense is still atop the nation in defensive saves. This statistic leads NCAA Divisions I-III.
Madison Ranalli (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) has a knack for stopping goals like nobody else. She remains the nation's leader in defense saves with 10 this season and now has 25 in her career. Ranalli's incredible run puts her on track to lead the nation in defensive saves in back-to-back seasons after doing so in 2022.
Nicole Servider (Westbury, NY/W.T. Clarke) and
Ryleigh Johnson (Camden, NY/Camden) have been critical contributors to the Pioneers' defense as well. Servider's four defensive saves place her right behind Ranalli for second in the Empire 8 and Johnson's three defensive saves rank her fifth in the conference.
We've Had Their Number: The Pioneers have won 11 out of 13 matchups throughout the years against the Lakers. In the two most recent matchups, the series is even at 1-1 with Oswego taking the most recent game in 2022. In the 2021 4-3 victory,
Shannon Jedreicich (Deer Park, NY/Half Hollow Hills East) notched a goal and an assist coming off the bench.
Emily Frank (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown) and
Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) each had an assist in the matchup as well. Most recently in the 2022 4-1 defeat,
Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) provided Utica's lone goal.
About Oswego: At the midway point through the season, the Lakers sit at 3-6. After a four-game losing streak, Oswego has found their stride winning two out of their last four. Graduate student Kacie Simzer is back this season to lead the team. The local product from Clinton, NY led Oswego in 2022 with 36 points and has accumulated six points so far this season. Ellie Kazel and Kate McNally have paced the Lakers offense so far this season. Kazel has three goals and three assists for nine points, while McNally has scored four goals for eight points. In goal is freshman, Ky Phillips. Phillips has a save percentage of .714 and has allowed 18 goals over 8 games played in her career.
Up Next: The team will travel to Rochester to take on Empire 8 opponent St. John Fisher on Saturday, October 7 at 1 p.m.
