PITTSFORD, NY - On a chilly night in Pittsford, the Utica University field hockey team faced off against a St. John Fisher squad with big playoff implications on the line. Despite playing to a 1-1 standstill over the first 45 minutes of play, the fourth quarter tilted in the Cardinals' direction, with Fisher outscoring the Pioneers by a 3-1 margin in the final frame to snatch a 4-2 win over the orange and blue.
The team continued to produce dangerous opportunities despite the setback, as they notched 10 shots on goal to the Cardinals' 11. The Pioneers also kept up their streak of playing efficiently on offense, as they racked up those 10 shots on goal in just 13 total opportunities. The Pioneers and Cardinals were nearly equal on penalty corners in the contest, too, with the hosts securing 10 to Utica's nine. In an extremely even matchup, a string of fourth-quarter goals ended up proving the difference, as St. John Fisher pulled away right at the end.
Mia Benincasa (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls) and
Jocelyn Spiezio (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) led the offense with three shots on goal apiece, while
Lauren Durfey (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls) and
Alanna Fragapane (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) completed the quartet of shooters for the Pioneers with two chances each.
Fragapane and Spiezio would be the scorers for Utica in the game, continuing their run at the top of the Pioneer scoring charts. Fragapane's goal would level the game right after halftime, knotting the score at 1-1, where it would stay until the 49th minute. Benincasa would assist the play, finding Fragapane on her favored back post, where the senior slotted home the equalizer. After three late goals by St. John Fisher, Spiezio would net the final score for Utica.
Ismiah ChinQuee (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) got the start in the cage for Utica, keeping out nearly every shot over the beginning three quarters of the game. She would rack up seven saves in the tight loss.
The Pioneers fell to 2-4 in conference, but still have pivotal matchups left against Elmira, Hartwick, Brockport, and Russell Sage. The team's next test will come this Saturday when they travel to face the Soaring Eagles at 11:00 AM.