UTICA, NY - The Utica University field hockey team dominated possession against the visiting Elmira Soaring Eagles on Saturday afternoon, rattling off 28 shots, one of which drew net for freshman Gianna Marcantonio's (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) first career goal. However, despite holding the run of play throughout the entire contest, a last-minute penalty stroke, followed by an additional Elmira goal, saw the Soaring Eagles snatch a 2-1 win down at Gaetano Stadium.
The Pioneers controlled much of the contest offensively, finishing with a 28-6 advantage in shots and a commanding 18-3 edge in penalty corners. The Pioneers put 24 shots on goal, routinely getting to the goalmouth but getting stopped inches short by a flurry of Elmira defenders on numerous occasions. Alannah Nole (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) made three saves for the Pioneers in her first career start, and stood strong on a wild shot sequence late in the game to preserve the Pioneers' 1-0 lead until the decisive two goals turned the match in Elmira's favor.
The Pioneers came out firing in the opening quarter, earning five penalty corners and registering 10 shots. After several early chances, Utica broke through at the 10:40 mark when Gianna Marcantonio (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) found the back of the cage off an assist from Lauren Durfey (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls), giving the orange and blue a 1-0 advantage. Marcantonio netted her first career score, while Durfey grabbed her second assist of the season.
The Pioneers continued to push following the opening score, as the hosts earned two more corners in the second period before generating nine shots and three corners in the third. Gabby Chase (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown), Mia Benincasa (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls), Jocelyn Spiezio (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) and Keeley Savona (Kingston, NY/Kingston) all tested the Elmira goalkeeper Rodriguez during the third quarter as Utica continued to create opportunities.
The Pioneers maintained their 1-0 lead into the final period and continued to pressure the Soaring Eagles. Utica earned eight penalty corners in the fourth quarter and generated nine shots, including a pair of chances from Chase. At 48:13, the Pioneers' stellar rookie nearly doubled the lead when her shot struck the post on a follow-up attempt.
After holding for a majority of the game, Elmira finally broke through with 3:57 remaining when Madison Fleming converted a penalty stroke to even the contest at 1-1. Just 1:13 later, Gabby Warter scored off an assist from Haley Henderson to put the Soaring Eagles in front, 2-1.
Utica continued to battle until the final whistle, earning three more penalty corners in the closing minutes. Spiezio fired a shot high with just over a minute remaining, while Keeley Savona's (Kingston, NY/Kingston) final attempt went wide as Elmira held on for the victory.
Spiezio led the Pioneers with eight shots, including six on goal, while Chase added five shots and four shots on goal. Benincasa and Adele Crayton (Hudson, NY/Taconic Hills) each recorded three shots, with all three of Benincasa's attempts finding the face of the cage. Marcantonio finished with two shots and scored Utica's lone goal.
The Pioneers wrap up non-conference action next Wednesday, heading to Wilkes University for a 4:30 PM matchup with the Colonels. The Pioneers will also hit the road next Saturday to resume Empire 8 play, battling Houghton University in a 1:00 PM tilt.
