UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's soccer team took down the Alfred University Saxons in the team's senior day showdown by a score of 4-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Four different Pioneers managed to find the back of the net in
Sofia Fini (Campbell Hall, NY/Goshen),
Natalia Bell (Cortland, NY/Groton),
Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville), and
Amber Piersma (Cassville, NY/Mount Markham).
Cora Kraft (Poughquag, NY/Arlington) and Lamphere were also able to register their names on the scoresheet in the form of an assist. Bell led the Pioneer attacking efforts with a team high five shot attempts, while Lamhere, Piersma and
Lily Martin (Poland, NY/Poland) were each able to put a pair of shots on goal each. Starting in goal for the Pioneers was
Hannah Pcola (Cassville, NY/Mount Markham) who combined with
Josephine O'Hare (Greenville, NY/Greenville Central) for the shutout effort, with each goalkeeper not having to make a save.
The Pioneers would be the ones to strike first in the 8th minute when
Sofia Fini (Campbell Hall, NY/Goshen) would find the rebound off a shot from Lamphere and put it in the back of the net to put the Pioneers on the board at 1-0. 10 minutes later, the Pioneers would find the back of the net again, this time off the foot of
Amber Piersma (Cassville, NY/Mount Markham) with the assist from Lamphere. The Pioneers would only register three more shots in the first half, and would head into the halftime break with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Coming out of the break, the Pioneers would fire on all cylinders, registering the third goal in the 50th minute off of a set piece that would be taken by Kraft that would be headed into the back of the net by Lamphere. Less than four minutes later, Martin would send an attempt at the Saxon goalkeeper that would ricochet off of her and onto the foot of
Natalia Bell (Cortland, NY/Groton) and into the back of the net, pushing the score to 4-0 in favor of the Pioneers. Utica would register another 10 shots in the remainder of the contest, but would be unable to find the back of the net once more, walking away with the 4-0 victory.
Utica (7-4-3, 4-0-3 Empire 8) returns to action on Wednesday, October 15 as the team hosts Hartwick College. Game time from Casamento Field is set for 6pm.
