Utica University Athletics

UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's soccer team punched its ticket to the postseason in commanding fashion on Wednesday afternoon, delivering a statement performance with a 7-0 victory over cross-town rival SUNY Poly. Coupled with favorable results elsewhere across the conference, the win officially secured a postseason berth for the Pioneers, marking the seventh playoff appearance under the leadership of Head Coach Brooke Barbuto. The Pioneers dictated play throughout the afternoon, controlling possession, setting the pace, and consistently applying pressure in the attacking third. Their relentless energy and clinical finishing proved too much for SUNY Poly to handle, as Utica turned in one of its most complete performances of the 2026 campaign.

Match Summary
The Pioneers registered three shots on goal in the opening 15 minutes, including a quality effort from sophomore Adrianna Calabria (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) that met the woodwork. Utica controlled the game, searching for an opportunity to take the lead for the opening half-hour and finally found the breakthrough goal, courtesy of Bailey Hewson (Plattsburgh, NY/Plattsburgh), who scored her first of two goals today. 

With momentum firmly on their side, the Pioneers kept their foot on the gas. Minutes later, Hewson would find Natalia Bell (Cortland, NY/Groton) in the box with a brilliant pass, the senior hammering her first goal of the season into the top corner with a stunning strike to double the lead. Shortly after, the Pioneers tightened their grip on the match with a third goal from Hewson, who navigated tight quarters in the box to slot the ball in the corner of the net. The Pioneers would take their three goal lead into the break.

Utica took its dominance into the second half, controlling play and taking plenty of shots on goal. The Pioneers nearly found their fourth goal after Krista Panko (Ilion, NY/Central Valley Academy) found the upright, following a flurry of attacks on the Poly goal. With twenty minutes left in play, Utica would find its fourth goal via defender Lily Martin (Poland, NY/Poland), who used her speed to break the Wildcat defense, completing her solo effort with a brilliant finish. Just over a minute later, midfielder Ayla Flockton (Plymouth, MA/Plymouth North) found her second goal of the season after driving through the middle of the park, a scramble in the box gave her an opportunity to finish off the attack with the fifth goal.

With under ten minutes to play, senior and all-time minutes played leader, Cora Kraft (Poughquag, NY/Arlington) scored her third set piece of the season, finding the bottom left corner of the net. With  minutes left to play, sophomore Sydney Rochefort (Massena, NY/Massena Central) added the final touches to a dominant afternoon, scoring her second goal of the season. Overall, the Pioneers delivered a composed and commanding performance, using contributions across the pitch to earn a decisive win and secure their place in the conference tournament

Up Next
Utica University women's soccer returns to action on Saturday, October 24, for a senior day celebration vs Elmira to cap off conference play for the 2026 season. Kickoff from Casamento Field is set for 1:00 PM.