ROCHESTER, NY - Utica University's women's lacrosse team traveled to Growney Stadium in Rochester to continue its run in the 2026 Empire 8 Conference Tournament. In a semifinal round matchup with the #1-seeded St. John Fisher University Cardinals, the Pioneers fell 17-4, closing the 2026 season. The season was among the strongest in program history for the orange and blue, claiming the team's third-ever postseason victory and fourth-ever season of 11+ wins.
Utica's point scoring was limited to just three players.
Maria Stuhlman (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) was the only Pioneer with a second goal, adding one assist to lead the team with three points. Senior
Jessica Marciano (Churchville, NY/Churchville Chili) both scored and assisted a goal, while
Alyssa Specchio (Chenango Forks, NY/Chenango Forks) rounded out the scoring with one tally. Stuhlman had a dominant day all around the field, leading the Pioneers in caused turnovers (five), ground balls (five), and draw controls (three). Junior netminder
Makayla Purdy (Shirley, NY/William Floyd) made 10 saves in the season-closing outing.
Neither team broke through for the first 5:03 until SJF's Dharma Makarowsky netted the game opener. This opened the gates for the Cardinals, as over the next 3:20, the hosts extended their lead to 4-0. With 3:51 left in the frame, Specchio netted a pass from Marciano on a woman-up situation to cut the lead back. It was one of just two shots in the quarter for Utica, and the only shot on goal.
The second quarter saw the hosts go on a run that propelled them to the win. The Cardinals scored nine goals in the frame, limiting Utica to zero shot attempts. The Pioneers struggled to complete clears in the period, going 1-of-5. At the horn, St. John Fisher held a 13-1 lead.
The final quarters were tightly contested, starting with the teams combining for three goals after halftime. St. John Fisher's Kaley Griffin opened the scoring 1:42 in, before play settled for the next 7:23. Stuhlman broke the silence with 5:55 left before another Cardinal goal closed the quarter. Entering the final 15:00, St. John Fisher led 15-2.
On a woman-up opportunity, Marciano netted the first goal of the fourth quarter off a pass from Stuhlman at 4:09 in. At the 8:29 and 6:50 marks, the Cardinals added goals to close out their goal scoring for the day. With 17 seconds remaining, Stuhlman netted a goal herself to wrap the scoring in the game and the 2026 women's lacrosse season.
The result concludes the 2026 Utica women's lacrosse season. Be sure to follow Utica Athletics on social media and check uticapioneers.com for information on the 2027 season as it approaches.
