Box Score HOUGHTON, NY - Utica Field Hockey traveled to Houghton for their second-straight Empire 8 road game on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers battled all afternoon, scoring two goals to level the game after two Highlander scores gave Houghton a 1-0 lead and 2-1 lead. Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) put the Pioneers ahead late after a penalty stroke score, but Houghton scored two crucial late goals to escape with a 4-3 win.
 
Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) broke out during the matchup, securing the Pioneers third hat trick of the year in a valiant effort that nearly sent the team past the Highlanders. Mix scored two goals during the passage of play, with the third one coming off of a penalty stroke.
 
Utica had only four shots on the day, but managed to produce insane efficiency, scoring three goals despite the relatively low shot totals. Three of their four attempts landed on goal.
 
Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) and Mia Benincasa (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls) accounted for all of the Pioneer shots, with Mix getting one on goal, and Benincasa sending a single shot on-cage.
 
The Highlanders got on the board first, scoring within the first minute of play to give themselves the sudden advantage.
 
The Pioneers fought back in the first, notching a penalty corner and seeing a Mia Benincasa (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls) shot hit the post only minutes after Houghton's opening score.
 
Early in the second quarter, the Pioneers found their equalizer. Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) sent a shot at the Highlander cage, drawing the back of the box to gain the first of her three goals and level the game at one.
 
The contest remained 1-1 until the halftime break, but the Highlanders came out strong once again, scoring five minutes into the second half to once again take a one-goal lead at 2-1.
 
Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) restored order towards the end of the third frame, scoring to knot the game back up, this time with each team having two goals apiece.
 
Another early-quarter goal was scored to start off the decisive fourth quarter. This time, it was Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden), who sent a penalty stroke into the upper right corner of the cage for the Pioneers' first lead of the game.
 
The Highlanders mounted a last-chance push, and saw their efforts pay off as they scored in the 54th minute and 57th minute to escape the contest with a massive 4-3 victory.
 
The Pioneers will move on to next week, where they'll welcome Union College on Wednesday and Elmira College on Saturday. Saturday's contest will serve as the Pioneers' Senior Day.