ALBANY, NY - The Utica University women's soccer team battled to a 0-0 draw with the Russell Sage College Gators on Wednesday afternoon. 
 
Leading the way for the Pioneers was Krista Panko (Ilion, NY/Central Valley Academy) who managed a team leading two shots on goal. Four other Pioneers recorded one shot on goal in Cora Kraft (Poughquag, NY/Arlington), Natalia Bell (Cortland, NY/Groton), Lily Martin (Poland, NY/Poland), and Samantha Ferguson (Westmoreland, NY/Westmoreland). In goal for the Pioneers was Hannah Pcola (Cassville, NY/Mount Markham), who recorded three saves in the effort. The Pioneers won the battle on corners with a 3-1 favor, recording one in the first half and two in the second. 
 
To open the contest, both teams would vie for possession, with the Pioneers being the ones who were eventually able to get the first shot of the contest off in the 26th minute courtesy of Madison Wagner (Saukville, WI/Divine Savior Holy Angels) that would be blocked by a Sage defender. Sage would rifle off its first shot of the contest in the 30th minute that would be blocked by a Pioneer defender, and the rebounding shot corralled by Pcola. The Pioneers would only be able to register another three shots in the opening frame, heading into the break in the thick of a scoreless tie. 
 
 Coming out of the halftime break, the Pioneers would be the team to strike first with a shot off the foot of Natalia Bell (Cortland, NY/Groton) in the 58th minute. Sage would counter with an attempt in the 62nd minute that would be corralled by Pcola. Utica would manage to rifle off another six shots in the remainder of the frame, none of which would be able to find the back of the net. 
 
Utica (6-4-3, 3-0-3 Empire 8) returns to Laura M. Casamento Field to honor the team's seniors on Saturday, October 11. Game time is set for 1pm.