UTICA, NY - It was a pink-out at Gaetano Field on Wednesday night as the Pioneers donned their special pink jerseys for a matchup against Nazareth University. In the matchup, the Pioneers' flashy colors complemented their playstyle, as they were active in front of the opposing cage for the majority of the match. In a contest against the current #3 seed in the Empire 8 Tournament, the Pioneers held their ground, playing on equal footing for the entire matchup, but ultimately falling by a 2-1 final

In the game, a strong Pioneer defense energized their attack, as the relatively young Pioneers found a groove and went toe-to-toe with the Golden Flyers. Nazareth had a 17-10 edge in the shots category, but only grabbed two more shots on goal than the hosts, as Nazareth won the SOG battle by a 9-7 margin. Nazareth also outgained the orange and blue in the corner category, but the play in the open field was extremely competitive, producing an exciting and memorable matchup between the two sides. 

Nazareth would notch the first goal, scoring just three minutes in to take an early 1-0 lead. However, the Pioneers would rally after that, walling up and steering away any ensuing Golden Flyer attacks to make it to halftime with just a one-goal deficit. 

Following the halftime break, the Pioneers used some slick passing to produce a couple of opportunities, with shots by Jocelyn Spiezio (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) and Deanna Jackson (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport) threatening to level the tie. Despite the offensive pressure, Nazareth would find a breakaway to make it 2-0 with about seven minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The two-goal gap would disappear quickly, though, as on the ensuing push, the Pioneers would find an opportunity off a penalty corner. Lauren Durfey (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls) served the ball into the circle, where it was swung around the Golden Flyer defense, finding its way back to Durfey on the backside. Off of an Emma Parker (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) pass, Durfey fired home a rocket, grabbing a goal and making it 2-1. For Durfey, she officially surpassed her points total from her rookie season, boosting her season to six points. For Parker, the assist would be her first career point.

The rest of the game would be back and forth, as the Pioneers looked to send it to an overtime period, while Nazareth looked to escape with a narrow win. In the end, the Golden Flyers would halt momentum and emerge victorious, but not after a tenacious fourth-quarter push by the hosts. 

Durfey and Alanna Fragapane (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) each notched two shots on goal in the game, with Durfey slotting one of her shots away for the team's only goal. 

Ismiah Chinquee also had a great night in net, contributing heavily to the stellar defensive effort that the team put together. ChinQuee came out of the cage numerous times to extinguish counterattack opportunities by the visitors. She would end with seven saves on the night. 

The Pioneers will look to bounce back this Saturday with a Senior Day contest against the Alfred University Saxons. That game will begin at 4:00 PM, with the ceremony scheduled for 3:45 PM down at Gaetano Stadium.