ALBANY, NY - Utica University's women's lacrosse team returned to Empire 8 action, challenging Russell Sage College on the road. At the ACP Athletic Complex in Albany, NY, the Pioneers responded to an early Gator goal with 11-consecutive scores. The teams played competitively from the late first half through the end of the game, but the flurry proved too much to overcome. The orange and blue stood tall 18-6 at the final whistle. The victory moves Utica to 8-5 overall this season, and 4-2 inside the E8.
The duo of
Alyssa Specchio (Chenango Forks, NY/Chenango Forks) and
Maria Stuhlman (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) made their mark for the visitors, with each netting a double hat trick and recording one assist. Seniors
Jessica Marciano (Churchville, NY/Churchville Chili) and
Alexis Alteri (Clinton, NY/Clinton) each scored twice, with Marciano assisting on two goals. Fellow seniors
Belicia Biette (Troy, NY/Columbia) and
Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) each found the back of the net once, with another senior,
Ella Stanton (Macedon, NY/Palmyra-Macedon), recording the final assist/point for the team. Graduate defender
Ella Jentsch (Rosendale, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) was the only Pioneer with a third caused turnover, additionally pulling in five ground balls as the only other Utica player with more than two. The team had multiple players contribute around the center circle, led by Stuhlman, who had four draw controls. Junior netminder
Makayla Purdy (Shirley, NY/William Floyd) earned the win with seven saves on 12 shots in 54:46 of play, before
Alannah Nole (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) closed out the final 5:14 with a goal on the shot she faced.
Russell Sage's six goals were scored by four players, all of them unassisted. Maia Hunter and Gianna Geraci each netted two, while Alexis Crossman and Samantha Shafer accounted for one apiece. Hunter and Crossman were important in transition, with Crossman pulling in five ground balls and causing five turnovers, while Hunter accounted for six ground balls and three caused turnovers. A different goalie played in each half for Russell Sage, beginning with Keegan Long, who saved 4 of 16 shots, and ending with Zoe Gravina, who saved 3 of 9.
The day's scoring was opened by the hosts, with Shafer finding the back of the net 2:06 into play. Specchio responded just over three minutes later, opening the floodgates for the orange and blue. At the 8:02 and 7:00 marks, Marciano and Stuhlman each added unassisted goals for their firsts of the game. Specchio completed a hat trick with goals at 4:58 and 2:00, the latter of the two being assisted by Marciano. Off a free position, Stuhlman beat the keeper with 1:11 left to close the first quarter with a 6-1 Utica lead.
57 seconds into the second quarter, Stuhlman used another free position shot goal to make history, becoming the 13th player in program history to reach 100 career goals. Nearly three minutes later, she continued to add her name to the score sheet with an assist on a Specchio goal. With 8:04 and 6:55 left in the half, Alteri and Marciano each scored unassisted goals to continue to build Utica's lead. The final goal of the run came from Stuhlman, finishing a feed from Specchio. With four minutes remaining, Utica took a green card that allowed a free position for the Gators. Hunter used this opportunity to end the Pioneers' stampede, establishing an 11-2 scoreline. Under a minute and a half later, Specchio finished her own free position attempt to give the orange and blue a 12-2 lead entering halftime.
2:20 into the second half, Geraci scored another free position attempt for Russell Sage to cut into the lead. Utica responded with a flurry of goals by Brennan, Specchio, and Stuhlman between the 9:31 and 6:01 marks. Marciano added an assist on Brennan's score. Stanton found her way onto the score sheet with an assist to Stuhlman with 3:27 left in the third to close the frame with Utica up 16-3.
The Gators once again opened the scoring in the fourth quarter, off the stick of Hunter. Both teams traded unassisted man-up goals with Alteri netting one for Utica with 8:30 left, and Crossman scoring one with 5:42 remaining. Geraci scored her second of the game with 3:15 on the clock, before Biette closed the scoring with her first of the game with 1:10 left. When time expired, the Pioneers stood tall 18-6.
Utica women's lacrosse will look to use the game to fuel a late push through the conference, battling their way up the Empire 8 Tournament seeding. The Pioneers begin with a road matchup against Alfred University this Saturday, April 18th, at Yunevich Stadium. Opening draw is set for 1:00 pm. The squad returns home for two games next week, hosting Hartwick on Wednesday and SUNY Geneseo on Saturday to close the regular season.
