UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's soccer team honored its seniors and celebrated homecoming in a big way on Saturday with a 3-0 win over the Houghton University Highlanders. 
 
Utica tallied goals off the feet of Noella Burlette (Manchester, CT/Manchester), Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville) and Rory Richard (Barneveld, NY/Holland Patent). Gabriela Daumont (Latham, NY/Shaker) assisted on a pair of goals while Jenna Keeman (Douglas, MA/Douglas) provided help on the team's first one of the afternoon. 
 
In goal, Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) earned the win with six saves over 79:30 of action. Cierra Doolen (Frankfort, NY/Central Valley Academy) finished out the final 10:30 of play and recorded a pair of saves as well. 
 
The team outshot Houghton 17-11 overall and 9-8 on goal. Julianna Beaulieu (Southwick, MA/Chicopee Comprehensive) led the Pioneers with five shots and three on goal. Richard, Lamphere, Keeman, Burlette and Kaela Mochak (Westfield, MA/Westfield) had two looks. Each team drew one corner apiece while Houghton committed four fouls to Utica's two. 
 
The Pioneers turned in a dominating first half, outshooting the Highlanders 7-1 and 4-0 on goal. Despite the early opportunities, Utica couldn't convert over its first five attempts through 40 minutes of action. However, the final four and a half minutes of the first half provided plenty of spark leading into the second half. 
 
In the 41st minute, Jenna Keeman (Douglas, MA/Douglas) sent a beautiful floating pass from midfield to Noella Burlette (Manchester, CT/Manchester) who found herself 15 yards out with Houghton defenders beat. Burlette collected the pass and got it past the charging goalkeeper to put Utica on the board. 
 
Just over two minutes later, a series of nice setup passes led to Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville) putting the team up 2-0 thanks to a pinpoint cross by Gabriela Daumont (Latham, NY/Shaker). 
 
Daumont recorded her second assist of the game in the 53rd minute with a similar play to that of Keeman in the first half. From near midfield, the senior sent the ball up field with Rory Richard (Barneveld, NY/Holland Patent) charging on it. Once again, Highlanders goalie Alliah Fluent came charging out of the box but was caught too far as Richard pushed the ball past and scored with ease. 
 
From there, the sides traded shots while the Highlanders put together strings of close looks. The visitors had two shots on goal that came in the 75th and 77th minutes, as well as another tries in the 84th and 85th minutes. The duo of Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) and Cierra Doolen (Frankfort, NY/Central Valley Academy) would, however, preserve the shutout victory. 
 
Utica (5-3-2, 1-0-2 Empire 8) will hit the road for a midweek conference matchup at Elmira College on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.