UTICA, NY - Pioneer women's soccer returned on Friday afternoon, taking the field at Casamento Field for their initial contest of the 2025 season. In a matchup against a tough and experienced Lycoming squad, Kayla Giovingo (Centereach, NY/Centereach) and the Pioneer defense held the line well, locking down an opposing offense that returned three 20-point scorers after a 15-3-3 record in 2024. After a very competitive and exciting opening battle, the Pioneers conceded once at the very end of each half to be dealt a tough 2-1 loss. 

The Warriors managed to outshoot Utica by a 26-10 margin, beating the Pioneers' in on-target shots by a 14-7 gap. Lycoming was also active on the baseline, securing 14 corners in the game. The Pioneers, despite not gaining many corners, also found themselves playing through from the wing for many opportunities. 

Despite the result, the game was very close throughout, with the Pioneers even finding the opening score courtesy of Amber Piersma (Cassville, NY/Mount Markham). With around 13 minutes remaining in the opening half, a Utica counterattack saw the Lycoming defense bunch up in the middle of the box. Because of this, the Pioneers were able to send the ball wide, with Lily Martin (Poland, NY/Poland) breaking into open space in a dangerous spot. This prompted Lycoming's keeper to exit the goal, to which Martin slid the ball across and saw Piersma slam it home for the 1-0. 

This goal came against the run of play, but sparked the Pioneers as they played the rest of the matchup on equal footing with the visiting Warriors. The Pioneer defense, led during the afternoon by Giovingo, snuffed out nearly every Lycoming attempt, neutralizing the Warriors' three-headed monster and keeping the game in their favor. Giovingo, the senior defender, played very strong against a potent Lycoming attack, calmly dispossessing many Warriors inside the Utica box. It was only at the very end of the first half that the Pioneers finally conceded, with a failed clearance producing a Lycoming equalizer right before half. Even so, the Pioneers came out of the half with fire, as Piersma immediately created a high-quality opportunity in the 46th minute. 

The bulk of the second half saw both teams produce some great opportunities, but neither team could push one across. The Pioneers' prowess in their own box held down the Warriors, while Lycoming's control of the middle of the field kept Utica out on the wings and away from the box. In the dying minutes of regulation, Lycoming dropped a corner kick right on the goal line, knocking home the game-winner. However, the contest provided lots of excitement and hope for the rest of the 2025 season, with the team playing well in front of a sizeable season-opening crowd at Casamento. 

Scoring Summary
32' - Amber Piersma (Cassville, NY/Mount Markham) (Lily Martin (Poland, NY/Poland)) | Utica 1-0
44' - Aubrey Williamson (Claudia Green) | 1-1
87' - Mikayla Long (Ella Magee) | Lycoming 2-1 

The Pioneers will return to the pitch next Tuesday when they travel up north to face SUNY Canton (4:00 PM start).