UTICA, NY - The Utica University field hockey team gets set for a two-game home slate against Union College on Wednesday, October 16, at 4 p.m. The team will honor their seniors against Elmira College on Saturday, October 19, at 2 p.m.
 
Follow Along: Union and Elmira live video and stats can be found here.
 
Last Time Out: 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. Mix 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. Mix 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 Benincasa shot hit the post only minutes after Houghton's opening score. Early in the second quarter, the Pioneers found their equalizer. Mix 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. Mix 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.
 
 
Senior Day: The team will be honoring two seniors, along with a Junior that will finish her Pioneer career this season. Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) and Hannah Young (Jordanville, NY/Little Falls) stand as the Pioneers' two seniors and will achieve recognition for all their wonderful accomplishments during the pre-game Senior Day ceremony on Saturday. Also being honored is Utica Junior Dakota Alexander (Medina, NY/Medina) who will be graduating early. Young and Alexander have been defensive stalwarts this season, with both players serving in a starting role for every single game thus far in 2024. Young has logged over 560 minutes in goal, recording 69 saves at a 65% rate. Alexander has been a defensive anchor for the Pioneers, snuffing out opponent attacks with extreme precision. That brings us to our third honoree…
 
Return of the Mack: Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) has been nearly unstoppable in her last three games, notching six goals and one assist and carving up opposing defenses with a blend of speed and accuracy. Mix has also managed to record a point in every game dating back 7 games. The last time she let 60 minutes pass by without any scoring impact was about a month ago back on September 14th at Muhlenberg. Mix has recorded 11 shots in her past three games, with ten of those 11 shots being on goal for an accuracy rate of 91%. Mix will look to finish out the season out by continuing her recent scoring success.
 
 
Scouting Union: Union is 8-4 overall and 2-2 in Liberty League play. The team has won its last two games in overtime against Rochester (3-2) and William Smith (3-2).  Maddie Greco leads the way with 24 points off 11 goals, two assists and 31 shots on goal. Greco has recorded a goal in nine out of 12 games. Rachel Ostiguy and Rowan Dapson lead with four assists. Sophie Brady has been the team's primary goaltender, making 62 saves while sporting a 1.83 goals against average and a 79% save percentage.
 
Union History: The Pioneers are 7-6 all-time against Union, dating back to 2001. The last time Utica defeated Garnet Chargers was in 2011 (2-1); since then, the teams have only met two times.
 
About Elmira: Elmira is 0-9 overall and 0-5 in E8 play. Nicole Luther leads the team with two goals and ten shots on goal. Caitlin Ehlenfield and Jazmine Elliot lead Elmira with one assist each. Peyton DeMaio leads with 13 defensive saves on the season. Reese Bowen has started all nine games, posting a 58% save percentage and 106 saves.
 
Elmira History: Utica is 17-6 all-time against the Soaring Eagles, dating back to 2001. Utica has won ten consecutive games from 2013-2023, allowing only five goals in those ten seasons.
 
Up Next: The Pioneers travel to Hartwick College on Wednesday, October 23 at 4 p.m.