HOUGHTON, NY - The Utica University field hockey team battled hard in an Empire 8 affair at Houghton on Saturday afternoon, fighting back from a 3-2 deficit with a late score to send the game to overtime. Even with the late equalizer, the hosting Highlanders scored in the extra period to hand the Pioneers a 4-3 loss in the orange and blue's fourth overtime venture of the 2026 campaign. 

The Pioneers showed resilience throughout the afternoon, taking multiple leads and then knotting the contest up at 3-3 in the fourth quarter off a score from Jocelyn Spiezio (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich), who picked up three points in the contest to tie with defender Gianna Marcantonio (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury). Marcantonio continued her solid debut season, matching Spiezio with a goal and an assist from a primary defensive position.

The orange and blue struck first just 5:52 into the contest when Marcantonio scored with a rocket off a corner insertion from Spiezio to give the Pioneers an early 1-0 lead. This marked the freshman defender's second career goal, and her second score within a week. Houghton answered later in the opening quarter as the hosts found the back of the cage late in the opening frame to knot the affair at 1-1.

The Pioneers regained the lead late in the second quarter as Sydney Baptie (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) netted her first goal of the season thanks to a solid feed from Marcantonio. The Pioneer defender sent the ball across the face of goal, finding Baptie at the back post. The goal gave the Pioneers a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.

Houghton pulled even again early in the third quarter, as Kylee Barshinger scored off an assist from Adria Hartzler at 30:53. Then, right at the beginning of the final quarter, the Highlanders grabbed the lead when Ava Kramp scored off a pass from Barshinger.

The Pioneers responded quickly to knot the affair. Just 1:36 after Houghton's go-ahead goal, Spiezio found the equalizer at 49:17, finishing a pass from Lo Robinson (Walton, NY/Walton) to make it a 3-3 game. Robinson corralled a big rebound just outside the circle, and played Spiezio ahead for the score.The Pioneers continued to apply pressure in the fourth quarter, earning eight penalty corners in the period, but neither team could break the tie before the end of regulation.

In overtime, both sides had opportunities to take control. Utica goalkeeper Alannah Nole (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) made a save on Adria Hartzler, while Houghton's Courtney Walbridge hit the post. The Highlanders continued to generate penalty corners, eventually scoring just over six minutes into the overtime period to take a hard-fought win. 

Marcantonio led Utica with six shots, five on goal, and finished with a goal and an assist. Spiezio added a goal and an assist, while Baptie scored once. Robinson also contributed an assist, and Nole finished with three saves in goal.

The Pioneers will return home next Wednesday for a battle with Russell Sage. They'll have two home contests on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively, as the conference season heats up.