CANTON, NY - Pioneer Field Hockey was defeated on Wednesday night after a valiant comeback attempt fell just short in their final non-conference matchup against St. Lawrence. Utica showed some great fight in their final game before beginning Empire 8 play, storming back late in the second half, but ultimately succumbing to the Saints by a score of 4-2.
 
The Pioneers fell behind early after a flurry of St. Lawrence attacks produced a pair of goals for the Saints. St. Lawrence had the larger share of shots in the first few frames, out-shooting the Pioneers 9-5 in the first half. Sporting a 2-0 lead at halftime, the Saints mounted a quick push as the third quarter got underway, finding another score only minutes into the frame.
 
Facing a 3-0 deficit, the Pioneers fought back and found their stride, riding a newfound wave of offensive pressure to a couple clutch scores. The Pioneer goals were both scored by freshman sensation Mia Benincasa (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls). Benincasa has been a revelation so far for the Pioneers, scoring 3 goals over the span of her first handful of games in the orange and blue. Benincasa's couple of much-needed scores were helped on by Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) and Jocelyn Spiezio (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich), with Mix assisting the first goal and the sophomore Spiezio assisting the second.
 
Utica used the boost from Benincasa to put a shock into the Saints' system while starting to push more and more for the elusive equalizer. Despite a couple more hard-fought shot opportunities by the Pioneers, it was St. Lawrence who managed to find the deciding goal late in the fourth quarter.
 
The 2-goal deficit was too much for the Pioneers to overcome with there being so little time left in the contest. As the buzzer sounded to signal the end of the fourth, the Pioneers fell to the Saints, but played a valiant second half and will hope to capture that momentum early on Saturday.
 
Utica had 10 total shots, with 6 of those attempts registering as shots on goal.
 
In goal, Hannah Young (Jordanville, NY/Little Falls) managed to block many Saints attacks, registering 8 saves in the contest.
 
Benincasa led the way with her 2 scores while Mix and Spiezio each had an assist on the night.
 
The Pioneers will now shift their gaze to an imminent matchup looming with #20 ranked SUNY Geneseo on Saturday. That meeting will launch Utica into Empire 8 play, while also serving as the final game in the Pioneers' month-long road trip.