MORRISVILLE, NY - The Utica University women's soccer team took the short trip over to Morrisville this afternoon to meet the Mustangs in a non-conference tilt. During the Pioneers' penultimate non-Empire 8 matchup, the orange and blue used a first-half barrage to fly past the Mustangs by a 5-0 final, improving to 3-2-1 on the year.
Cora Kraft (Poughquag, NY/Arlington) led the way for the visitors, putting in a titanic effort as she patrolled the entire field from her spot on defense while simultaneously slotting in as the game's leading scorer. Kraft collected a brace in the match, with both goals coming from set pieces. Kraft netted the first of her two goals in spectacular fashion, lining up from a difficult angle and placing the ball perfectly into the upper right corner of the goal. Kraft would add to her tally later on in the game, scoring the final goal of the game right before halftime to cement the insurmountable 5-0 margin. The 2024 Empire 8 All-Conference selection also did all this while playing the full 90 minutes in a complete performance.
The Pioneers produced 13 shots on the day, as opposed to just three attempts by Morrisville. Utica also managed to grab a double-digit win in the shots on goal department, notching 11 to the Mustangs' 1. The visitors completed the sweep in attempts by also winning the corner kick battle by a 4-1 margin.
Emily Duro (Wappinger Falls, NY/Roy C. Ketcham) got the start on Friday afternoon, playing the first 78 minutes and getting a single save before making way for freshman keeper
Avery Lawton (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley), who went on to play the final stages and complete the combined shutout.
Bailey Hewson (Plattsburgh, NY/Plattsburgh) started the scoring in the 10th minute, grabbing her first collegiate goal off a cross from
Madison Wagner (Saukville, WI/Divine Savior Holy Angels) to get the Pioneers out to an early lead. Wagner then found herself the beneficiary of an
Amber Piersma (Cassville, NY/Mount Markham) pass, finding space on the right wing and sending the ball above the goalkeeper for the 2-0.
Samantha Ferguson (Westmoreland, NY/Westmoreland) also continued her scoring streak, receiving a
Samantha Kogut (North Adams, MA/Drury) cross and sending it into the net to make it 4-0. Kraft's two free-kick goals rounded out the scoring by the Pioneers as they picked up another win and some more momentum heading into next week's game against Hamilton.
The Pioneers will welcome the Continentals next Wednesday for their final non-conference contest. That game is scheduled for a 4:00 PM start next Wednesday at Casamento Field.
