UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's lacrosse team closed its regular season with a 20-5 setback against SUNY Geneseo in Empire 8 play on Saturday afternoon at Gaetano Stadium. Maria Stuhlman (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) combined for all five Pioneers goals, while Utica's defensive unit and goalkeeper Makayla Purdy (Shirley, NY/William Floyd) were tested throughout by a high-volume Geneseo attack. 

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Stuhlman, who accounted for four of Utica's five goals on the afternoon. Her four scores came on just seven total shot attempts to go with four draw controls, two ground balls, and one caused turnover. Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) added one goal, one ground ball, and one draw control. 

In goal for the orange and blue was Purdy, backstopping the Pioneers with 17 saves in a full 60 minutes of work.  

In the first quarter, Utica's defense and Purdy faced an early surge of pressure as Geneseo generated 15 shots, 14 of them on target, forcing Purdy into seven saves in the opening 15 minutes. Utica broke through offensively at the 6:05 mark when Stuhlman dodged and finished unassisted to get the Pioneers on the board. Despite the sustained defensive effort, the Pioneers closed the quarter trailing 7-1 after a late Geneseo run. 

The Pioneers' back line continued to battle in the second quarter, dealing with multiple extended possessions while Purdy turned away several quality chances to keep Utica within striking distance. Stuhlman again provided a spark, striking for her second of the day midway through the frame, before Brennan added a strong individual effort with an unassisted tally to make it 10-3. Utica's defense forced four Geneseo turnovers in the period and limited them to 11 shots, but a free-position goal in the final seconds sent the Pioneers into halftime down 11-3. 

Out of the break, Utica's defense continued to contest shots and ground balls as Purdy registered five more saves in the third quarter. Stuhlman completed her hat trick on a woman-up opportunity at the 9:08 mark, then converted a free-position shot with just under four minutes to play in the frame on her fourth goal. With the defense generating turnovers and clears under heavy pressure, the Pioneers went to the fourth quarter trailing 16-5. 

In the final frame, Utica's defensive group continued to work in front of Purdy as she added two more saves, finishing the afternoon with 17 stops on 37 shots on goal. The Pioneers were able to generate four shots in the final period and earned two free-position attempts, but were unable to find the back of the net over the last 15 minutes. Utica finished the contest with 12 ground balls and nine draw controls. 

Utica (10-6, 6-3 Empire 8) turns its attention to the postseason as the Empire 8 Tournament begins on Tuesday, with the #4-seeded Pioneers set to return home to host #5-seeded Hartwick at Gaetano Stadium in the First Round. Opening draw is set for 4:00 pm.