UTICA, NY - The final weeks of the regular season have arrived as a group of Pioneer programs look for a final push toward the top of the Empire 8 Standings. Men's soccer looks for the program's first regular season Empire 8 title, while volleyball and field hockey attempt to clinch home postseason action. Football returns from its bye week with a big home battle against Alfred University, and the men's hockey team takes the ice for the first time this Friday.  All that, and more, this week at Utica!
 
Catch up on last week's action and get ready for this week's events with our Pioneer Primer!
 
To Read About a Specific Team, Click the Team Below:
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Football
Men's Ice Hockey
Women's Ice Hockey
Women's Soccer
Men's Soccer
Volleyball
 
Pioneer Athletes of the Week:
Adele Crayton (Hudson, NY/Taconic Hills) - Field Hockey
Bennett Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) - Men's Cross Country


 
This Week in Utica Athletics:
Check out the Composite Schedule for complete schedule details - Link: https://uticapioneers.com/calendar
 
Home games are bolded and highlighted in Orange:
Monday, October 19th
10:00 AM - Women's Golf vs NWGC Fall Invitational | Foxfire Golf Course (NWGC Fall Preview)
 
Tuesday, October 20th
10:00 AM - Women's Golf vs NWGC Fall Classic | Camillus Golf Club (NWGC Fall Preview)
 
Wednesday, October 21st
5:00 PM - Women's Soccer at SUNY Poly | Wildcat Field
7:00 PM - Field Hockey vs St. John Fisher | ABM Field at Gaetano Stadium
7:00 PM - Men's Soccer vs SUNY Poly | Laura M. Casamento Field
 
Friday, October 23rd
5:00 PM - Women's Ice Hockey at Wilkes (Exh.) | Toyota Sportsplex
7:00 PM - Women's Volleyball at SUNY Geneseo | Schrader Gym
7:00 PM - Men's Ice Hockey vs Skidmore (Exh.) | NBT Bank Arena (Mastrovito Family Auto Group Breast Cancer Awareness Game)
 
Saturday, October 24th
11:00 AM - Women's Cross Country at Hamilton | Hamilton Cross Country Course
11:45 AM - Men's Cross Country at Hamilton | Hamilton Cross Country Course
12:00 PM - Football vs Alfred | ABM Field at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium (GKG & Sullivan Contracting Breast Cancer Awareness Game)
1:00 PM - Men's Soccer at Elmira | Campus Field
1:00 PM - Women's Volleyball at SUNY Brockport | Jim and John Vlogianitis Gym
1:00 PM - Women's Soccer vs Elmira | Laura M. Casamento Field (Senior Day)
 
Sunday, October 25th
1:00 PM - Women's Soccer at Hamilton | Love Field
 
For live streaming and live stats information for all Pioneer matchups visit "This Week's Live Coverage" under the "Inside Athletics" tab at the top of the website, or click this link: https://uticapioneers.com/coverage 
 
WEEKLY PREVIEWS:
 
Cross Country - Utica's men's and women's cross country teams get a well-deserved break this weekend after both squads earned top-10 team finishes at Rowan. Bennett Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) highlighted the trip with his second individual victory of the season.
 
Last Week's Action:
Men: Utica finished seventh out of 19 scoring teams with 194 points in the 8K championship race. Melita captured the individual title in 26:39.1, finishing 12.6 seconds ahead of the runner-up. Killian Bauer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherill) placed eighth in 27:16.6, while Timothy Jeralds (Canaan, NY/Chatham Central) finished 31st in 28:11.5. Liam Maxson (Ilion, NY/Central Valley Academy) and Forest Martin (Poland, NY/Poland Central) completed the scoring five in 29:36.9 and 30:12.6, respectively.
 
Women: The Pioneers placed 10th out of 20 scoring teams with 313 points in the 6K championship race. Marlo Townsend (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) led Utica in 14th at 23:21.1, followed by Catherine Manna (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) in 44th at 24:19.1. Nicole Arnhold (Hampton, NY/Granville) finished 68th in 25:05.6, Lacey Simmons (Vernon Center, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) placed 94th in 25:47.8, and Tara Fobare (Sauquoit, NY/New Hartford) completed the scoring five in 140th at 28:09.9.
 
Trax Fax:

• Melita has finished inside the top five in all four of his appearances this season. His Rowan title joins an opening-season victory at SUNY Poly, a fifth-place finish at Hamilton, and a runner-up showing at Fredonia.
• Bauer earned his fourth top-10 finish in five appearances with Saturday's eighth-place result. He and Melita have both finished inside the top 10 in each of the four meets in which they have competed together.
• Townsend has led the Pioneer women in all four of her appearances this season. She and Manna gave Utica two top-50 finishers at Rowan, crossing 58 seconds apart.
• Arnhold finished third among the Pioneers for the second consecutive meet in which she competed. Utica's women used the same scoring five in the same finishing order at Fredonia and Rowan: Townsend, Manna, Arnhold, Simmons, and Fobare.
• Saturday marks Utica's third trip to Hamilton this season and its final competition before the Empire 8 Championships.

 
Up Next: Both teams begin their postseason in the Empire 8 Championships on Saturday, October 31st, at the SUNY Poly Cross Country Course in Utica. The women's race is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM.
 
Field Hockey - Field Hockey hosts Empire 8 rival, St. John Fisher, for a massive mid-week matchup on Wednesday. The Cardinals stand between the Pioneers and clinching a post-season spot for the first time since 2023. The Pioneers are currently on a four-game win streak after a challenging start to the season, but look to take down the Cardinals for the first time in many matchups in order to earn their postseason spot.
 
Last Week's Results
At Nazareth University | Wednesday, October 14th

• W, 2-1 (Crayton - 1g, Reilly - 1g, Marcantonio - 1a, Spiezio - 1a)

Vs SUNY Brockport | Saturday, October 17th

• W, 3-2 (Benincasa - 1g, gwg, Crayton - 1g, 2a, Spiezo - 1g, Chase - 1a)

 
Last Week's Action:

• The Pioneers tacked on two more wins to their recent win streak, making them 4-0 in the past 2 weeks. The freshman class was on fire, securing three of the four goals in the team's pair of Empire 8 victories.
• To start the week, they defeated Nazareth University 2-1 in enemy territory, stopping a recent skid against the Golden Flyers. The blue and orange dominated the shooting circle, taking 13 shots on goal compared to the Golden Flyers' 6 shots. They kept this momentum going in their showdown against previously 10-2 Brockport, where they outshot their opponents 18-4. The Pioneers maintained their aggressive playstyle by taking 26 trips to the penalty corner and allowing their opponents only 5 attempts between these two matchups.
• Adele Crayton (Hudson, NY/Taconic Hills) had a pair of strong outings as the freshman continued to find her footing during a massive two-win week. The Taconic Hills graduate helped the Pioneers extend their winning streak to four games thanks to two goals and two assists, along with a game-winner on Wednesday. During their win over Nazareth, Crayton collected the final goal, redirecting a shot from outside the circle to give the Pioneers an insurmountable advantage. Then, during their Saturday showdown against previously 10-2 Brockport, Crayton continued to collect points, being involved in all three of the Pioneers' goals as she notched one score and two assists. Crayton would close out the contest by intercepting a pass right in front of the Brockport cage and finding Mia Benincasa (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls) with a pinpoint pass, leading to the decisive goal.

 
This Week's Schedule:
Vs St. John Fisher University - Wednesday, October 21st, 7:00 PM | Utica, NY
 
Trax Fax:

• The Pioneers have a huge game ahead of them this Wednesday, facing off against the team directly behind them in the conference standings. The blue and orange have worked their way up to fifth place in the Empire 8, currently holding a 4-3 conference record following an 0-3 start to the conference campaign. St. John Fisher trails just behind them in sixth place, holding a conference record of 3-3.
• A win in Wednesday's battle will see the Pioneers clinch a postseason berth. However, the Pioneers have even more to play for over the next two games, as wins in both matchups could see the program reach the #4 seed and host first-round Empire 8 Tournament action. The Pioneers would need some help, as Brockport occupies the current #4 seed. Despite that, the Pioneers possess a tiebreaker over the Golden Eagles, so a Brockport loss in one of their next three games, coupled with a pair of Pioneer wins, would see the orange and blue battle on home turf for the first round of the Empire 8 Tournament.
• The team's win streak will be put up against a recent run of losses against the Cardinals. The Pioneers will be in search of their first win in the last 11 matchups against the Rochester-based program, but this year is as good a chance as any, as the Pioneer energy and home atmosphere will make this matchup a must-watch affair.
• The offense has found its groove, and it could not have come at a better time. Incredibly, the Pioneers have formed a superb synergy in front of the cage, as the underclassmen-laden attack has connected on every single one of its scores this season, racking up 29 goals and 29 assists for a perfect playmaking rate.

Upcoming Opponents:
St. John Fisher University

• Record: 6-8 (3-3 Empire 8)
• Recent Matches: The Cardinals are heading into this showdown after a big 3-1 win against Russell Sage on Saturday. Before this game, Fisher faced a tough 2-3 home overtime loss against Houghton University - another Empire 8 competitor. The Cardinals are currently occupying 6th place in the conference.
• Stat Leaders: Mary Kate McPhee currently leads the Cardinals' offense with 8 goals, including 2 goals from a big E8 win against Elmira College. Right behind her is Avery McLaughlin with 7 goals for the season. McLaughlin is the leader in assists with 5 across 13 games played, making her an asset for the Cardinals' offense. In goal, Morgan Parrinello has recorded 85 saves in fourteen appearances and a save percentage of 0.752.
• What to Watch For: Fisher has had a challenging schedule outside of the conference but has continued to be a contender in the Empire 8. The Cardinals have proven their ability to generate offensive pressure with an average of 18.1 shots per game while allowing 12.0 per showcase. The blue and orange need to keep an eye on the dynamic duo of Mary Kate McPhee and Avery McLaughlin, both with 19 points this season. The team remains consistent throughout both halves of the game, with 16 out of 35 goals scored in the first half and 19 goals being scored in the second.

Up Next: The Pioneers will have a break this Saturday before closing out the regular season with a 4:00 PM matchup at Hartwick next Wednesday, October 28th.
Football - Football returns from their bye week this Saturday, heading home to Gaetano Stadium to face off with Alfred University in the team's annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game sponsored by GKG and Sullivan Contracting. The Pioneers experienced little movement during their off-week, only dropping a single spot in the official NCAA NPI as they continue to rank amongst the top selections for an NCAA Division III Tournament spot. 
 
Football - Football returns from their bye week this Saturday, heading home to Gaetano Stadium to face off with Alfred University in the team's annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game sponsored by GKG and Sullivan Contracting. The Pioneers experienced little movement during their off-week, only dropping a single spot in the official NCAA NPI as they continue to rank amongst the top selections for an NCAA Division III Tournament spot. 

Last Week's Results
Vs Bye Week | Resounding W
 
Trax Fax:

• The Pioneers have compiled a stellar resume through the first half of the season, taking down plenty of top-tier opponents to reach their current ranking of 15. A season-opening win against #16-NPI Washington and Jefferson has given the Pioneers a big statement victory on their resume, while a tight loss against #8-NPI Cortland is also helping the team's case. The team's other wins have provided solid value, with victories over #85-NPI RPI, #95-NPI Hobart, and #112-NPI Alfred State allowing the program to boast four wins over top-half competition.
• The team went into the bye week on a high note, not only taking down Morrisville on the road by a 33-7 final, but also racking up plenty of accolades in the process as the team earned the Empire 8's Offense and Defensive Player of the Week, in addition to another D3football.com Team of the Week selection. To cap it off, Nico Duarte (Kearny, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep) was named to the Fred Mitchell Award Midseason Watchlist.
• The Fred Mitchell Award recognized 40 placekickers for their excellence on the football field through the first half of the season. The award honors outstanding placekickers from all Divisions of the NCAA, including the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior college football programs. The award recognizes not only field goal accuracy, distance, and performances in critical moments, but also the positive impact student-athletes make beyond the football field. Duarte currently leads all of NCAA Division III in made field goals with 11, also posting the highest field goal percentage at 1.000 and earning the tiebreaker over all other perfect placekickers thanks to his field goal total. He's earned Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season, including one time when the senior star outscored the entire Washington and Jefferson offense, grabbing 14 total points in a 26-11 Believe Bowl victory.
• Joseph Gentile (Utica, NY/Thomas R. Proctor) was stellar against Morrisville, getting active in both the run and pass defense while being disruptive with his hard-hitting style as he picked up a D3football.com Team of the Week selection. Gentile tallied six tackles, five of which were solo takedowns as he wrapped up well in the open field. He also picked up an interception and forced a fumble during the contest, throwing off the Mustang offense as the Pioneers allowed just seven points to the opponent. Gentile has had a very strong season after taking over for one of the Pioneers' all-time great safeties in Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley), who graduated following the 2025 campaign. Gentile has posted a team-high 23 solo tackles through six games, and ranks second on the team with 35 total takedowns. In addition, he's also racked up 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a single breakup, quarterback hurry, forced fumble, and fumble recovery.
• Pioneer signal-caller Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) was also solid against Morrisville, completing 22 passes and tossing for 349 yards while finding the endzone twice as he took home his first Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week honor of the season. Szalkowski was extremely effective at spreading the ball around, along with finding the deep ball, as he found five different receivers and averaged 15.9 yards per completion. Notably, Szalkowski also boomed a punt to help flip field position, booting the ball 45 yards and pinning Morrisville at its own three-yard line.
• Finally, Jordyn Davis (Hempstead, NY/Uniondale) had an outstanding day on the interior defensive line for a Pioneer team that held the Morrisville rushing attack to just 59 yards on 28 attempts, earning Davis Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week. Davis was at the forefront of the Pioneers' bruising run-stop, as the Senior tackle racked up nine tackles (three solo), a quarterback hurry, and a big third-down sack that helped stall the Mustangs early in the matchup. His nine total tackles were second in the entire game behind Pioneer linebacker Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston), who posted 10. Davis was the main culprit behind Morrisville's 2.1 rushing yards per attempt.

 
Upcoming Opponents:
Alfred University

• Record: 2-4
  • at Hobart – L 24-17
  • at Ithaca – L 27-3
  • vs. St. Lawrence – W 31-7
  • vs. St. John Fisher – L 33-15
  • at Hartwick – W 27-7
  • vs. #14 Cortland – L 45-7

Recent Matchups:

• Against St. John Fisher: Alfred fell 33-15 at home in the team's Empire 8 opener after the Cardinals built a 31-0 lead and maintained control throughout the afternoon. Quarterback Matt Parker, a senior transfer from Ithaca, threw for 267 yards, his highest single-game passing total of the season to that point, but the Saxons struggled to turn their offensive production into points.
• Against Hartwick: Alfred bounced back from the loss to St. John Fisher with a 27-7 road victory, leaning on its ground game and a strong defensive effort. Running back Tommy Nyquist rushed for 138 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries, earning Empire 8 Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors. The Saxons held Hartwick scoreless through the first three quarters and limited the Hawks to just seven points.
• Against Cortland: The Saxons struggled to generate offense against the nationally ranked Red Dragons, falling 45-7 at Yunevich Stadium. Alfred managed just 145 total yards, including 103 rushing and 42 passing, while Cortland controlled possession for nearly 36 minutes. Nyquist scored Alfred's lone touchdown on a short run in the second quarter, but the Red Dragons scored on each of their first three drives after halftime to pull away, outscoring Alfred 28-0 over the final 30 minutes.

Stat Leaders:

• Offense
  • QB Matt Parker: 77 completions on 111 attempts, 899 passing yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions, 69.4% completion rate.
  • RB Tommy Nyquist: 113 carries, 384 rushing yards, six touchdowns; 25 receptions for 158 receiving yards.
  • WR Cameron Lew: 11 receptions, 220 receiving yards, two touchdowns, 20.0 yards per catch.
  • WR Damone Allen: Seven receptions, 155 receiving yards, two touchdowns, 22.1 yards per catch.
  • WR Joe Littlejohn: Four receptions, 151 receiving yards, one touchdown, 37.8 yards per catch.
• Defense
  • DB Jack Bestpitch: 55 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups.
  • LB Michael Davis: 46 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, five quarterback hurries.
  • DB Auben Marcus Jr.: 35 tackles, one interception, seven pass breakups.
  • DL Martin Flanders Jr.: 26 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
  • DB Domanik Clark: 33 tackles, two interceptions, one tackle for loss.

What to Watch For: Alfred enters Saturday's matchup averaging 16.7 points and 258.8 yards of total offense per game, while allowing 23.8 points and 347.5 yards per contest. The Saxons have been more productive through the air than on the ground, averaging 163 passing yards and just 95.8 rushing yards per game. Parker has completed 69.4% of his passes for 899 yards and six touchdowns without an interception, as he operates a safe Alfred offense that avoids backbreaking mistakes and forces opposing defenses to stop them through traditional means. Nyquist leads the ground attack with 384 rushing yards and six touchdowns, while also providing a reliable receiving option out of the backfield.

Alfred's receiving corps has several options capable of generating explosive plays. Lew leads the Saxons with 220 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Allen has averaged 22.1 yards per reception, and Littlejohn has averaged an impressive 37.8 yards on his four catches. Utica's secondary will need to remain disciplined against the deep ball, especially with Parker's ability to deliver accurate passes downfield without throwing turnovers, something the Pioneers have excelled at generating throughout the season as they rank top 10 in the NCAA for turnovers generated.

Defensively, Alfred has recorded 20 sacks and four interceptions through six games. Flanders leads the team with four sacks and eight tackles for loss, while Bestpitch and Davis have been the Saxons' most productive tacklers. The defensive front has shown an ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks, but Alfred has also surrendered 149.7 rushing yards per game. The Pioneers will have an opportunity to establish the rush, but must also block well for Szalkowski when the orange and blue signal caller looks downfield.

Series History: Saturday will mark the 27th meeting between Utica and Alfred University, as the programs have met in every single season of the Pioneers' varsity existence, including twice in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The Saxons hold an 18-8 advantage in the all-time series, due in large part to their run of dominance in the 2000's. However, the Pioneers have won six of the last 10 meetings, including a high-powered 51-28 victory in Alfred last season. Utica has also won three of the last five matchups, including a 28-0 shutout on the road in 2023 and a 65-16 victory in 2022. Alfred's most recent win in the series came in 2024, when the Saxons edged Utica 38-34 at Gaetano Stadium.

Up Next: Football will head on the road to face an excellent and resurgent St. John Fisher program that's gotten out to a 5-1 start in 2026. The Cardinals have posted 25+ points in all but one matchup, with their lone loss coming 38-28 on the road against Brockport. St. John Fisher heads to Cortland this weekend for a 1:00 PM meeting with the ranked Red Dragons.

Men's Hockey - The men's hockey team officially hits the ice for its 26th season of varsity competition this Friday, when they welcome a Skidmore program with a massive array of returning talent for a preseason exhibition at the NBT Bank Arena. The Pioneers will rely on a large group of senior talent, along with an influx of strong underclassmen, to make a run at the program's third NCAA Division III Frozen Four in the last four seasons.
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MEN'S HOCKEY, PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR SEASON PREVIEW, WHICH WILL GO LIVE TOMORROW AFTERNOON AT 12:00 PM.
 
This Week's Schedule:
Vs Skidmore College - Friday, October 23rd, 7:00 PM | NBT Bank Arena (Exhibition)
            Mastrovito Family Auto Group Breast Cancer Awareness Game
 
Trax Fax:

• This is a big season for a core group of seniors who have been massive contributors over the past four seasons. The program boasts 11 seniors this season, including eight stellar skaters who have been with the team since their debut collegiate season.
• This strong senior group includes players such as Drake Morse (Grand Rapids, MI/East Grand Rapids), who led the team with 36 points last season thanks to 17 goals and 19 assists. The return of fellow seniors Eric Vitale (Toronto, Ontario/St. Michael Christian) (14g, 12a), Andrew Della Rovere (Caledon East, Ontario/St. Michael's Catholic) (12g, 14a), and Aidan Hughes (Mississauga, Ontario/Our Lady of Mount Carmel) (11g, 14a) see the team bring back four of its top six point-getters from last year. In total, 13 of the team's top 15 point contributors are back in the orange and blue this season as the Pioneers are poised to bring back as much talent as any team in the country.
• One area that will be new for the Pioneers is the goaltending room, with three new goalies protecting the net. Senior Division I transfer Mitchell Day (Kirkwood, MO/Kirkwood) joins the team, heading over from Niagara University to provide a veteran presence, while the team has complemented him with a pair of freshman keepers in Michael Modelski (New Boston, MI/Connections Academy) and Waylon Esche (Utica, NY/Westmoreland).

 
Upcoming Opponents:
(RV) Skidmore

• 2025-26 Record: 15-10-2 overall, 11-6-1 in conference play. The Thoroughbreds advanced to the SUNYAC semifinals before falling to Oswego State, 6-3. Skidmore finished the season with 90 goals scored and 72 allowed.
• Last Season: Skidmore finished strong, winning nine of its final 11 regular-season games before earning a 4-3 victory over Plattsburgh State in the SUNYAC quarterfinals. The Thoroughbreds also picked up wins over Plattsburgh and Fredonia during the regular season and defeated Morrisville, 12-1, in January.
• Returning Stat Leaders: Forward Coleman Jenkins returns after leading Skidmore with 20 points on five goals and 15 assists. Shane Baker contributed 19 points (10 goals, nine assists), while Cooper Rice added 17 points, including a team-high 11 goals. Ryan Stratton also returns after recording 15 points. On defense, Nick Troutwine tallied 11 assists in 18 games.
• What to Watch For: Skidmore averaged 3.3 goals per game while allowing 2.7, and generated 36.1 shots per contest last season. The Thoroughbreds converted 16.7 percent of their power-play opportunities and killed approximately 84 percent of opposing power plays. With a huge amount of productive forwards and defensemen returning, Utica will need to limit Skidmore's shot volume, stay disciplined, and keep the Thoroughbreds from generating momentum on special teams.

 
Up Next: The Pioneers will head to Michigan to open the regular season against #8 Adrian College, taking on the Bulldogs in a Friday-Saturday doubleheader at the Arrington Ice Arena. Friday's contest kicks off at 7:00 PM on October 30th, while Saturday's matchup gets underway at 3:00 PM.
 
Women's Hockey - Utica's women's hockey team heads to #8/8 Wilkes for its final preseason exhibition after rallying from a two-goal deficit to defeat Lebanon Valley, 4-2. Friday's matchup provides one more tune-up before the regular season opens against William Smith on October 30th.
 
Last Week's Results
Vs Lebanon Valley College | Saturday, October 17th | Exhibition

• W, 4-2 (Frear - 2g, 1a; DiGrazia - 3a; Collins - 1g, 1a; Fatiev - 14 saves)

 
Last Week's Action:
Lebanon Valley: Utica scored four unanswered goals to overcome a 2-0 first-period deficit in its exhibition opener. Samantha Dobrzynski (Garnet Valley, PA/Garnet Valley) started the comeback with a power-play goal just 43 seconds into the second period before Autumn Frear (Marshall, VA/Gilmour Academy) tied the game at 12:42. Frear struck again midway through the third to give Utica its first lead, and Katie Collins (Ithaca, NY/Lovell Academy) added insurance with 6:24 remaining. Dylan DiGrazia (Scottsdale, AZ/Homeschooled) assisted on each of the final three goals, while Katie Sheahan (Oak Lawn, IL/North American Hockey Academy) and Yael Fatiev (Kiryat Shmona, Israel/Ontario Hockey Academy) combined for 27 saves.
 
Following regulation, the teams held agreed-upon practice overtime and shootout sessions. Dobrzynski scored during three-on-three play, while Lebanon Valley won the shootout, 1-0.
 
This Week's Schedule:
At Wilkes University - Friday, October 23rd, 5:00 PM | Toyota SportsPlex (Exhibition)
 
Trax Fax:

• Freshmen Frear and Collins combined for three goals and two assists in their first exhibition appearances. Frear contributed to each of Utica's final three goals, while Collins assisted on the equalizer before scoring the final goal herself.
• DiGrazia recorded three assists, joining Frear with a three-point performance. Maya Jerome (Belleville, MI/Huron) added two assists, helping set up both Dobrzynski's power-play goal and Frear's go-ahead score.
• Fatiev stopped all 14 shots she faced over the final 31:00 of regulation. Sheahan made 13 saves in the opening 29:00 as the pair held Lebanon Valley scoreless over the final two periods.
• After allowing two first-period power-play goals, Utica killed each of Lebanon Valley's final three opportunities. The Pioneers finished 1-for-2 on their own power play.
• Utica recorded 18 blocked shots, led by Jerome and Angelina Garganese (Winter Springs, FL/Trinity Prep.) with three apiece. The Pioneers also held a 28-26 edge in faceoffs, with Dobrzynski winning nine of her 14 draws.

 
Upcoming Opponents:
#8/8 Wilkes University

• 2025-26 Record: 25-2-1 overall, 20-1 in conference play. Wilkes is ranked eighth nationally in both the USCHO and DIIIHockeyNews preseason polls.
• Last Season: The Colonels closed the season with wins over Alvernia, Arcadia, and Adrian before falling to Nazareth, 2-1. Wilkes also defeated Utica, 3-1, in the teams' January meeting.
• Returning Stat Leaders: Haylee Bouchard led Wilkes with 53 points and 36 assists last season, adding 17 goals. Nina Hudakova paced the team with 22 goals and finished second with 47 points. Goaltender Audrey Milne returns after posting a 21-2-1 record, a 1.20 GAA, a .947 save percentage, and eight shutouts.
• What to Watch For: Wilkes outscored opponents 131-31 last season, converting 23.3 percent of its power plays and killing 89 percent of opposing opportunities. With its top two scorers and starting goaltender returning, the Colonels provide a strong final exhibition test before Utica opens regular-season play.

 
Up Next: The Pioneers will open the regular season next weekend with a home-and-home against William Smith. The Herons head to Nexus Center on Friday, October 30th at 4:00 PM, before the two teams move to Geneva on Saturday, October 31st.

Women's Soccer - As the 2026 regular season winds down, women's soccer finds itself in the thick of the postseason race. The Pioneers have gone unbeaten in their last two matches and are in a playoff spot with just two conference games left to play. A win against cross-town rivals SUNY Poly would clinch a postseason place for the Pioneers on Wednesday.

Last Week's Results:
Vs. Russell Sage| Wednesday, October 14, 4:00 PM

• D, 0-0 (Wagner 3 SOG, Duro 2 Svs)

Vs. Nazareth | Saturday, October 17, 1:00 PM

• D, 0-0 (Martin 1 SOG, Duro 7 Svs)

 
Last Week's Action:
 

• Sage: The Pioneers took control of the match with six shots on target, forcing big saves out of the Gators' goalkeeper. The Pioneer defense held firm, allowing only two shots on goal, but couldn't find a breakthrough goal. Both sides earned a point in a match that Utica will find themselves unlucky not to have won.

 

• Nazareth: The visitors entered the match on the back of six wins in their last seven matches, scoring over two goals per game in that span. The Pioneers met the challenge and held the Golden Flyers to a shutout, with goalkeeper Emily Duro (Wappinger Falls, NY/Roy C. Ketcham) securing seven saves in the scoreless draw.

 
This Week's Schedule:
@ SUNY Poly, Wednesday, October 21, 5:00 PM | Wildcat Field
Vs Elmira (Senior Day), Saturday, October 24, 1:00 PM | Casamento Field
@ Hamilton College, Sunday, October 25, 1:00 PM | Love Field
 
Trax Fax:

• The Pioneers backline holds the fifth-best defensive record in the conference with 15 goals allowed and sits first in the conference with seven clean sheets.
• The Pioneers rank in the top-3 for shots on goal, shots, and shots on goal per game
• Utica has the highest points in a single game this season with 23 vs Canton (9/5/2026)

 
Upcoming Opponents:
SUNY Poly

• Record: 3-10-2 (0-8-1)
• Recent Matches: L, 7-0 vs Elmira, D, 1-1 vs Keuka, L, 2-0 vs Houghton
• Stat Leaders: Sophomore Kara Mertz leads the Wildcats with ten points (4g, 2a)
• What to Watch For: With a win vs. the Wildcats, the Pioneers would secure their place in the postseason for the sixth time in Head Coach Brooke Barbuto's tenure.

Elmira

• Record: 3-10-1 (3-5-1)
• Recent Matches: W, 7-0 Poly, L, 1-0 Hartwick, L, 1-0 Geneseo
• Stat Leaders: Freshman Brooke Wilcox leads the team with 19 points (9g, 1a)
• What to Watch For: The Pioneers will host the Soaring Eagles for senior day at Casamento Field, looking to capitalize on the occasion with a big win. An Elmira side sitting ahead of the Pioneers on points will look to derail the celebrations Saturday.

Hamilton

• Record: 9-2-2 (6-2-1)
• Recent Matches: W, 1-0 Amherst, D, 1-1 Union, W, 2-1 Bowdoin
• Stat Leaders: Forward Lila Sullivan leads the way with 21 points (10g, 1a), followed by midfielder Haley Cramer with 13 points (4g, 5a)
• What to Watch For: After the dust settles in conference play, the Pioneers travel to Clinton for the final matchday of the 2026 regular season. The Continentals hold the historical record vs. the Pioneers; the blue and orange will be looking to secure a huge result. 

 
Up Next: While the regular season reached its conclusion, the Pioneers will look forward to potential postseason action. Currently the Pioneers hold the final playoff position, but with three games left, Utica can finish as high as sixth or as low as tenth. Potential opponents are yet to be confirmed.
 
Men's Soccer - Men's soccer enters the final week of the regular season unbeaten in six matches and in contention for the program's first Empire 8 regular-season title. The Pioneers stand at 8-5-2 overall and 6-2-1 in conference play, tied for second with 19 points, two behind first-place Geneseo. Their win last week clinched an E8 postseason tournament berth, with Utica's final seeding dependent on this week's results. With a top-four finish, the Pioneers would be in line for at least one home playoff game.
 
Last Week's Results
At Russell Sage College | Wednesday, October 14th

• T, 1-1 (Schweitzer - 1g; Nkurunziza - 1a; Accetta - 8 saves)

At Nazareth University | Saturday, October 17th

• W, 1-0 (Loselose - 1g; Accetta - 7 saves, shutout)

 
Last Week's Action:

• Russell Sage: Utica extended its unbeaten streak with a 1-1 road draw. Henry Schweitzer (Clinton, NY/Clinton) finished a through pass from Mao Nkurunziza (Syracuse, NY/Nottingham) with just 28 seconds remaining before halftime, but Sage equalized in the 78th minute. Zachary Accetta (Rocky Point, NY/Rocky Point) recorded eight saves as Utica held a 15-13 advantage in shots. The Gators' goal ended Accetta's shutout streak at 350:23.

• Nazareth: Felix-Assa Loselose (Syracuse, NY/Nottingham) converted a penalty kick at 15:41, and Utica protected the lead for a 1-0 victory. Accetta stopped all seven shots on target he faced to record his sixth shutout of the season despite Nazareth's 21-8 advantage in shots and 9-2 edge in corner kicks. The win extended Utica's unbeaten streak to six and handed the Golden Flyers their first home loss of the season.

This Week's Schedule:
Vs SUNY Poly - Wednesday, October 21st, 7:00 PM | Laura M. Casamento Field
At Elmira College - Saturday, October 24th, 1:00 PM | Campus Field
Trax Fax:

• Accetta leads the Empire 8 in save percentage (.932), goals-against average (0.43), and shutouts (six), while ranking second with 69 saves. He has allowed just five goals through 1,035:00 in net and remains the conference's only qualifying goalkeeper with a GAA below 1.00.
• Accetta entered last week as the save-percentage leader across all three NCAA divisions and stopped 15 of 16 shots on target against Sage and Nazareth. He has recorded four shutouts in his last five appearances.
• Utica is 5-0-1 over its last six matches, outscoring opponents 10-3. All six contests have come against Empire 8 opponents, keeping the Pioneers within two points of the conference lead entering the final week.
• Loselose leads Utica with six goals and 13 points, tying for third in the Empire 8 in goals and fifth in points. He is a perfect 3-for-3 on penalty kicks and has scored three game-winning goals.
• Schweitzer's goal at Sage was his second of the season, tying him with Carter Cookinham (Poland, NY/Poland) for second on the team. Nkurunziza's assist moved him into a tie with Braeden Arias (New Milford, CT/New Milford) for the team lead with three.
• Utica has an 8-27-1 record against Nazareth, but the Pioneers have turned the tide in recent years. With the 1-0 win, the orange and blue have now won four of the six matchups since the 2021 season, with a 1-1 tie and 4-3 loss from the past two seasons marking the two exceptions.

Upcoming Opponents:
SUNY Poly

• Record: 7-8 overall, 3-6 Empire 8
• Recent Matches: Poly defeated Keuka, 5-0, before falling 2-1 at Houghton on Saturday. The setback ended a three-match winning streak that included 2-1 victories over Russell Sage and Elmira.
• Stat Leaders: Johnpaul Jerome leads Poly with 11 points on four goals and three assists, while Jael Casimir has a team-high five goals. Marcus Cole has added three goals and three assists, sharing the team lead with Jerome at 14 shots on target. Tyler Barth has played the most minutes in net, recording 25 saves with a 2.06 GAA and a .610 save percentage.
• What to Watch For: Poly has scored 10 goals over its last four matches but remains winless in five conference road games. Wednesday's Crosstown Showdown pits that improved attack against a Utica team that has won four consecutive home matches, including back-to-back shutouts.

Elmira College

• Record: 5-8-1 overall, 3-5-1 Empire 8
• Recent Matches: Elmira earned a 3-2 road victory over Hartwick before falling 1-0 to conference-leading Geneseo on Saturday. Four of the Soaring Eagles' last five matches have been decided by one goal.
• Stat Leaders: Luka Tatanashvili leads Elmira with six goals, 13 points, and 23 shots. Adam Tufton follows with three goals and seven points, while Ryan Padilla leads the team with five assists. Arturo Ruiz Martin has played a team-high 585:00 in goal, posting 26 saves, a 1.69 GAA, and a .703 save percentage.
• What to Watch For: Elmira has scored 13 of its 18 goals after halftime, making sustained defensive focus important in Saturday's regular-season finale. The Soaring Eagles have also been more successful at home, posting a 2-1-1 conference record that includes a victory over Nazareth and last Saturday's narrow loss to Geneseo.

 
Up Next: The regular season concludes this week, but the Pioneers have already punched their ticket to the conference postseason tournament. While Utica's seed can still vary based on this week's results, the orange and blue are currently tied for second in the E8, putting them in a strong position to host at least one postseason game by finishing fourth or better. Regardless of their eventual opponent, the first-round game is set to take place on Saturday, October 31st.
 
Volleyball - The Utica University women's volleyball team hits the road for a pair of crucial Empire 8 Conference matchups this weekend, traveling to SUNY Geneseo on Friday before taking on SUNY Brockport on Saturday.
Last Week's Results
Vs. Hartwick College | Friday, October 16th

• L, 3-1 (Hanba - 13k, Wright - 28d, Jones/Herrington - 20a)

At Russell Sage College | Saturday, October 17th

• W, 3-1 (Bailey - 16k, Wright - 21d, Herrington - 20a)

Vs. St. Lawrence University | Saturday, October 17th

• L, 3-0 (Bailey - 7k, Wright - 17d, Jones/Herrington - 7a)

Last Week's Action
Hartwick: The Pioneers opened their weekend with a four-set loss to Hartwick despite claiming the opening frame 25-22. Utica used a six-point run behind Elizabeth Hanba's (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) serving to build a 12-6 advantage in the first set before Mackenzie O'Brien (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) delivered the set-clinching kill. The second frame saw Utica battle back from an early deficit to take a 22-21 lead, but Hartwick responded to claim a narrow 25-23 victory. The Pioneers continued to challenge the Hawks in the third, using a four-point run to take a 17-16 lead before Hartwick pulled away for a 25-20 win. Utica remained within one point at 11-10 in the fourth before the Hawks took control to secure the match, 25-15.

Russell Sage: Utica bounced back Saturday afternoon with a four-set Empire 8 victory over Russell Sage, taking the match 25-19, 13-25, 25-17 and 25-13. The Pioneers used a five-point run early in the opening set to establish control before pulling away for a six-point victory. After the Gators evened the match with a second-set win, Utica responded by taking the third frame behind timely kills from Bailey, Hanba and Kamari Davis (Utica, NY/Proctor). The fourth set featured the Pioneers' most decisive stretch of the afternoon, as a nine-point run turned a 10-8 deficit into a 17-10 advantage.

St. Lawrence: The Pioneers closed Saturday's doubleheader with a straight-set loss to St. Lawrence, falling 25-17, 25-16 and 25-19. Utica battled throughout the opening frame, cutting a six-point deficit to two at 17-15 before the Saints pulled away. The Pioneers opened the second set with an early 2-0 advantage and later evened the score at 9-9, but St. Lawrence used a five-point run to regain control. In the third, Utica stayed within striking distance, using consecutive Bailey kills to pull within three at 18-15 before trimming the deficit to 22-19 late in the frame. The Saints claimed the final three points to complete the sweep.

This Week's Schedule
At SUNY Geneseo – Friday, October 23rd, 7:00 PM | Geneseo, NY (Schrader Gym)
At SUNY Brockport – Saturday, October 24th, 1:00 PM | Brockport, NY (Jim and John Vlogianitis Gym)

Trax Fax

• The Pioneers enter the final stretch of Empire 8 play with a 5-2 conference record, sitting in a three-way tie for third place in the standings. After opening conference play with four consecutive victories, Utica has gone 1-2 over its last three Empire 8 matches. This weekend's road contests against Geneseo and Brockport will be important as the Pioneers look to strengthen their position in the conference standings.
• Utica continues to lead the Empire 8 in both total digs and digs per set, recording 1,403 digs through 81 sets for an average of 17.32 per set. Senior libero Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) has been at the center of that defensive production, leading the conference in digs per set at 6.10. Wright also ranks second nationally in digs per set and eighth in total digs, according to the supplied conference notes, continuing her standout senior campaign after becoming the program's all-time digs leader earlier this season.
• Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) remains one of the Empire 8's most productive offensive players, ranking second in the conference with 261 kills and averaging 3.48 kills per set. She also ranks third in total points with 298, averaging 3.97 points per set, while sitting 12th in hitting percentage at .206. Against Empire 8 opponents, Bailey has elevated her production to 4.22 kills per set, the second-highest average in conference-only play. She recorded 35 kills across three matches last week, highlighted by a 16-kill performance against Russell Sage.
• Mackenzie O'Brien (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) made her presence felt at the net during Saturday's conference victory over Russell Sage, recording seven block assists to help Utica finish with nine total team blocks. O'Brien accounted for eight block assists across the Pioneers' three matches last week, continuing to provide a defensive presence in the front row. Her performance against the Gators helped limit Russell Sage to a .094 hitting percentage in the four-set victory.
• Charley Herrington (Colonie, NY/Colonie Central) has continued to contribute to Utica's offensive distribution, recording 20 assists in each of the Pioneers' matches against Hartwick and Russell Sage last week. Herrington has now recorded at least 15 assists in four consecutive matches, providing consistency in the Pioneers' setting rotation. She also contributed five block assists across last week's three matches, including a strong performance at the net against Russell Sage.

Upcoming Opponents
SUNY Geneseo

• Record: 11-7 overall, 5-1 Empire 8.
• Recent Performance: Geneseo enters the weekend with just one conference loss through its first six Empire 8 matches. The Knights have also been strong at home this season, posting a 3-0 record at Schrader Gym.
• Stat Leaders: Kathryn Barba leads the Knights with 208 kills, averaging 3.10 per set, while Sophie Hunter follows with 130 kills. Jessica Macken leads Geneseo with 228 assists, followed closely by Molly McKinney with 218. Zooey Gagnier has recorded a team-high 41 service aces.
• What to Watch For: Geneseo has been effective from the service line, recording 151 aces through 67 sets for an average of 2.25 per set. The Knights also feature Cory Elder, who has recorded 105 kills on an impressive .356 hitting percentage. Friday's matchup will pit Utica's conference-leading defense against a Geneseo squad that has lost just once in Empire 8 play.

 
SUNY Brockport

• Record: 7-10 overall, 1-5 Empire 8.
• Recent Performance: Brockport enters the weekend looking to improve its conference standing after winning one of its first six Empire 8 contests. Despite its conference struggles, the Golden Eagles have been difficult to beat at home, posting a 5-2 record on their home court.
• Stat Leaders: Kaylee Dickerson-Holly leads Brockport with 137 kills, averaging 2.32 per set, while Luba Butcher follows with 119 kills. Kaitlyn Jewett directs the offense with a team-high 326 assists and leads the squad with 51 service aces. Defensively, Elsie Logan has collected 256 digs, averaging 4.74 per set.
• What to Watch For: Brockport has recorded 135 service aces through 63 sets, averaging 2.14 per set. Jewett has been particularly dangerous from the service line, averaging 0.81 aces per set. The Golden Eagles also feature a strong presence at the net, led by Maddy Howell's 44 total blocks and Ana Parella's 33. Utica will look to counter Brockport's blocking and serving production with its conference-leading back-row defense.

 
Up Next: The Pioneers return home for the team's final conference matches of the season, hosting Nazareth University on Friday, October 30 beginning at 7pm before hosting St. John Fisher on Saturday, October 31 beginning at 12pm for Senior Day.
 
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