UTICA, NY - In their Empire 8 Conference Opener, the Utica University field hockey team faced a challenging day against #22 Geneseo at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The visiting Knights powered four goals into the back of the net through one quarter of play, and continued to hold the high ground to send Utica to a 9-0 defeat.
The Pioneers fell to 0-5, and 0-1 in the Empire 8 Conference. The defending E8 Champions from Geneseo improved to 6-1, with a 1-0 ledger in conference play.
Geneseo held firm control of possession across much of the contest, and parlayed that into a 24-2 advantage in shots to reach the goal frame, along with a 15-6 lead in penalty corners.
Ismiah ChinQuee (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) and Sophia Weiss (Huntington, NY/Huntington) made seven saves each for Utica in the loss. Marley Runciman made two saves in relief of Bridget Schafer for Geneseo.
The Pioneers were led offensively by Mia Benincasa (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls) and Alanna Fragapane (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy), who had a shot on goal apiece. Samantha Young (Jordanville, NY/Little Falls) added a defensive save. Meredith Guertin and Aubree Wenner had two goals each for Geneseo.
The Knights opened their account with a rapid first quarter, with New Hartford grad Ella Grieco notching a goal and two assists to set the pace. Emma Landers, Kyra Giannelli, and Aubree Wenner also had goals in the opening stanza. VVS grad Meredith Guertin scored her first of two goals on the day to stand alone with the only tally of the second quarter.
The visitors scored four more times in the second half, with Wenner and Guertin scoring a second goal each in the third quarter. Rome Free Academy grad Christianna Clark scored her first intercollegiate goal at 44:16 to wrap up the third period scoring, and Hailee Senfield scored in the fourth quarter to round out the day.
As part of the day's events, Utica shone the spotlight on student-athlete mental health awareness by dedicating the game to the Morgan's Message organization, created in memory of Duke University lacrosse student-athlete Morgan Rodgers. The organization works with schools and colleges to call attention to the importance of mental health in student-athletes across the country. More information on that organization is available at morgansmessage.org.
The Pioneers will visit Morrisville State on Tuesday, September 23rd, with the opening hit set for 4:00 PM.
