UTICA, NY - The Utica University field hockey team falls to the SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons 2-1 in a highly contested matchup on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Pioneer's first goal of 2024 was credited to Alanna Fragapane (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy), who scored on a beautiful pass from Alyssa Pisano (Hopewell Junction, NY/Arlington). Fragapane and Pisano recorded Utica's only two points while four players registered at least one shot on goal.
 
Both teams combined for 12 shots in the first half, with Oneonta taking a seven-to-five advantage. Oneonta struck first with 5:29 left in the first as Erin Clark assisted Michaela Maniscalco, who gave the Red Dragons a 1-0 advantage.
 
Five minutes into the third quarter, Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) ran down the field and dished a beautiful pass to Alyssa Pisano (Hopewell Junction, NY/Arlington) right in front of the cage. Pisano found Fragapane on the backside, who capitalized, tying the game at one. Four minutes later, Oneonta's Alexandra Howell scored on an assist from Abigail Draper, giving the Red Dragons a 2-1 advantage, which would ultimately give Oneonta a 2-1 victory.
 
Utica (0-1, 0-0 Empire 8) faces New Paltz in their second game of the Utica University Field Hockey Tournament on Saturday, August 31 at 4 p.m.