ROCHESTER, NY - Three Pioneer Field Hockey players have received recognition from the Empire 8 Conference after great individual seasons, with Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) being named to the Empire 8 First Team, Alyssa Pisano (Hopewell Junction, NY/Arlington) being chosen for the Second Team, and Dakota Alexander (Medina, NY/Medina) receiving a Sportswoman of the Year selection. 

Mix had a great year in her Senior season, picking up nine goals and seven assists to finish with a solid 25-point year. She was also the most traveled Pioneer, with an end-to-end playstyle that allowed her to nab three defensive saves during the season in addition to her offensive dominance. Mix will finish her Pioneer career with 27 goals and 23 assists, contributing 77 points during her four years of play for Utica. This is Mix's third time being selected to an Empire 8 All-Conference Team, with the Senior Midfielder receiving first team honors during her Sophomore year (2022) along with second team honors her Junior year (2023). Mix also picked up an NFHCA All-Region II Second Team selection during her Sophomore year (2022).

Pisano finished the 2024 season as the Pioneers lead-scorer, grabbing 13 goals and finishing as the fourth-highest goalscorer in the entire conference. The Graduate Student also added three assists, finishing with a team-high 29 points. Pisano procured two hat tricks during the 2024 season, scoring three goals each against Elmira and Keuka while also putting up two against Russell Sage in the season finale. She will finish her Pioneer career with 41 goals and 10 assists, getting a final points tally of 92. This is Pisano's third Empire 8 All-Conference Honor after she received recognition as a part of the All-Empire 8 Second Team in the past two seasons (2022, 2023). 

Alexander had an excellent year on the defensive side of the field in what will be her final season donning the orange and blue despite being only a Junior. The Medina native wrapped up her Pioneer career this season after three years as a part of Utica Field Hockey. She will be graduating early, with this only being her Junior year at Utica. Alexander was the epitome of consistency this season, starting in all 16 of the Pioneers contests in 2024. In addition, she also spent well over 1,000 minutes on the field during this past season, leaving her as one of the most reliable Pioneer players. This is Alexander's first Empire 8 Honor.