GENESEO, NY - The Utica University field hockey team faced off against the two-time reigning Empire 8 Champion Geneseo on Saturday afternoon, as the Pioneers battled the Knights on the road to open their Empire 8 slate. Despite a lot of fight, the experienced Knights were too much, as the orange and blue fell by a 5-0 final.
The orange and blue were held to four shots on the afternoon, with three finding the cage. The Pioneers also earned three penalty corners, including two in the second quarter. Sophia Weiss (Huntington, NY/Huntington) made seven saves in 36:37 of action before Alannah Nole (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) entered in the third quarter and added one save.
Geneseo would get out to an early lead in the Knights' Morgan's Message matchup, holding a 3-0 advantage at halftime.
The Pioneers generated some offensive opportunities in the third quarter, with Gabby Chase (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown) testing the Geneseo defense early in the period before Mia Benincasa (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls) and Jocelyn Spiezio (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) also registered shots. Geneseo, however, added two more goals in the period to extend its lead to 5-0, where it would stay for the rest of the contest.
Utica continued to battle throughout the final period, with Benincasa recording another shot on goal at 49:16, but the Pioneers were unable to find the back of the cage.
Benincasa led the Pioneers with two shots, both on goal, while Chase added one shot on target and Spiezio recorded one attempt.
The Pioneers return to action next weekend, as they welcome Elmira College to Gaetano Stadium. That crucial conference clash will take place starting at 2:00 PM next Saturday, September 26th.
