Utica University Athletics

UTICA, NY - Utica women's soccer took on the Keuka College Wolves in a decisive conference match. The Pioneers secured the win after a hectic game featuring some jaw-dropping goals. Utica took the lead early in the first half before the visitors answered with an outrageous effort to tie the score. The Wolves took the advantage in the second half, but the Pioneers fought back to secure an immensely important 3-2 win.

Utica started on the front foot, grabbing the lead from Bailey Hewson (Plattsburgh, NY/Plattsburgh), who scored her fourth goal of the season. A nicely worked move gave Adrianna Calabria (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) a chance to drive at the backline before setting up Hewson for a point-blank finish and a 1-0 lead. With five minutes left in the first half, Keuka found the equalizer with an incredible effort from 25 yards out, catching goalkeeper Emily Duro (Wappinger Falls, NY/Roy C. Ketcham) off guard.

The visitors found the lead early in the second half, catching the Pioneer defense out with a perfectly timed pass through the middle, sending Keuka forward Bailey Cook in to make it 2-1. Shortly after, sophomore Lily Martin (Poland, NY/Poland) broke through the Wolves' defense with her trademark speed before playing the ball into the penalty area, where Calabria beat two defenders and tucked her shot into the bottom-left corner to level the match. With the game tied once more, the Pioneers took initiative to find the winner, taking control of the match. With 20 minutes remaining, junior Abigail Jalocha (Maspeth, NY/Monsignior McClancy Memorial) found space in the penalty area and fired her shot into the top-left corner for the match winner. Jalocha made an immediate impact off the bench, continuing a string of important contributions since joining the program as a transfer.

Women's soccer earned its first conference victory after three consecutive draws, providing a boost of momentum heading into a challenging stretch against championship contenders Houghton, St. John Fisher, and Brockport. As the 2026 season starts to take shape, the Pioneers earned a much-needed win.

The Pioneers improved to 4-2-4 overall (1-0-3 Empire 8) and will return to action on Saturday, October 3rd, with an away match against Houghton. Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM at Burke Field.