UTICA, NY - The Empire 8 gauntlet continues this week for the Utica University field hockey team, with two away games scheduled in Rochester and Elmira.Tonight, the team will look to bring the same energy they captured last week in order to upend the current #4 seed St. John Fisher Cardinals. Then, on Saturday, the team will look to distance themselves from Elmira, facing off against the Soaring Eagles on Saturday morning. Get caught up with everything Utica field hockey before tonight's matchup down below!
 
Tonight's matchup against Fisher will take place at 7:00 PM over in Pittsford. Saturday's contest begins at 11:00 AM in Elmira.
 
You can stream this week's contests by heading to the link below, or by clicking the "Watch" link in our field hockey schedule page.
 
At Fisher streaming link (Tonight - Wednesday): https://www.empire8network.com/stjohnfisher/
 
At Elmira streaming link (Saturday): https://www.empire8network.com/elmira/
 
You can follow live stats for this week's matchups by heading to this link, or by clicking the "Live Stats" link in our field hockey schedule page:
 
At Fisher live stat link (Tonight - Wednesday): https://sjfathletics.com/sidearmstats/fhockey/summary
 
At Elmira live stat link (Saturday):
https://athletics.elmira.edu/sidearmstats/fhockey/summary
 
Recapping Last Week's Action: The Pioneers had an exciting week during their matchups this past Wednesday and Saturday, losing a competitive affair to Nazareth during the week before dominating Alfred University 7-0 on Saturday. For more information about those matchups, check out our game recaps from those two matchups.
 
Vs Nazareth Recap:
https://uticapioneers.com/news/2025/10/8/field-hockey-pioneers-put-forth-powerful-pink-game-effort-in-2-1-loss-against-nazareth.aspx
 
Vs Alfred University Recap: https://uticapioneers.com/news/2025/10/11/field-hockey-celebrates-seniors-with-seven-goal-stomping-of-alfred-university.aspx
 
The Pioneers have also had many highlight-reel moments from throughout the season so far! Check out the links below to watch what they've been up to!
 
At Morrisville Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Z68HWE44QuVM2cBz&v=mQoUYJK_uxo&feature=youtu.be
 
Vs Houghton Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS6BogAU56E
 
At Keuka Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJCDAdoOUhw
 
Vs Nazareth Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loAsCftVFMI
 
Vs Alfred University Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpyzWO9Pfik
 
Empire 8 Standings: The Pioneers are currently one spot out of the postseason picture, but have an excellent opportunity to gain ground this week with a matchup against the #4 team in St. John Fisher. Here are the standings heading into this week's games.
 
Empire 8 Field Hockey Standings (Top 6 Make Postseason):
#1: Geneseo - 5-0 | 1.000%
#2: Nazareth - 5-1 | .833%
#3: Hartwick - 5-1 | .883%
#4: St. John Fisher - 4-1 | .800%
#5: Brockport - 3-2 | .600%
#6: Houghton - 4-3 | .571%
#7: Utica - 2-3 | .400%
#8: Russell Sage - 2-4 | .333%
#9: Elmira - 1-5 | .167%
#10: Keuka - 0-5 | 0%
#11: Alfred University - 0-6 | 0%
 
With games remaining against Brockport and Hartwick, the Pioneers have several opportunities to move their opponents down the table and secure a spot in the tournament. The Pioneers' most pivotal games against high-ranked opposition are tonight (October 15th) against St. John Fisher, next Wednesday (October 22nd) at home against Hartwick, and the following Saturday (October 25th) against Brockport.
 
About Fisher: The St. John Fisher Cardinals will enter tonight's game with a 6-5 record, also holding a 4-1 mark in the Empire 8. The Cardinals have a host of losses against top-tier competition, with their defeats coming to an array of Liberty League teams in William Smith (2-3), Ithaca (#20 at the time, 0-5), and Rochester (#24 at the time, 0-2), along with losses against Geneseo (#24 at the time, 0-4) and Kean (1-5). In all of their wins, the Cardinals have put forth strong performances, outscoring the opposition 29-3 during their victories.
 
The Cardinals are powered by a trio of double-digit point-getters in Mary Kate McPhee (18 pts), Avery McLaughlin (16 pts), and Sam Current (15 pts). Outside of those three attackers, the Cardinals' next closest point-getters have six points, meaning the offense is heavily reliant on the terrific trio. Current leads the way with seven goals and an assist, McLaughlin is second in scoring with six goals and four assists, and McPhee is third for scoring but is the primary playmaker with five goals and a team-high eight assists. McPhee has double the assists of the next closest player.
 
In Goal, the Cardinals rely on the play of Morgan Parrinello, who has started eight of 11 games for the team this season. Parrinello has a record of 5-3 on the year, and has posted a goals allowed average of 1.79.
 
About Elmira: The Soaring Eagles have a record of 2-8 on the season, also having a 1-5 record in conference play. Their wins have come against Cedar Crest (3-2) and Alfred University (4-0).
 
The purple and yellow are paced by Madison Felming and Caitlin Ehlenfield, who each have three goals on the season. Nicole Luther isn't far behind with two goals on the season. In goal, Angelina Caban has received all ten starts for the Soaring Eagles, picking up 73 saves with a 4.20 goals allowed average.
 
After this Week's Road Trip: The Pioneers will hit the final stretch of their Empire 8 schedule, having their final home game against Hartwick next Wednesday, October 22nd at 3:45 PM, and a big-time matchup at Brockport next Saturday in Brockport at 3:00 PM.
 
Tune in tonight and this Saturday for a couple big conference matchups!