ONEONTA, NY - The Utica University field hockey team wrapped up its three-game road trip on Saturday afternoon, taking on St. Lawrence University at All College Field in the final game of the Oneonta State Invitational. The Pioneers battled the Saints into overtime, holding a lead for a majority of the matchup against the strong Liberty League side, but eventually fell in overtime as the Saints scored to .
The orange and blue finished the afternoon with eight shots, putting six attempts on goal while withstanding a St. Lawrence attack that registered 32 shots and 20 on frame, only allowing two goals in the contest. Utica also earned four penalty corners, including three during the second half. Sophia Weiss (Huntington, NY/Huntington) stood tall in goal for the Pioneers in goal, making a career-high 13 saves in all 66 minutes of action.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Utica broke through late in the second period. Gabby Chase (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown) found the back of the cage at the 29:46 mark, with fellow Section II star Sydney Baptie (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) providing the assist, giving the Pioneers a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
The Pioneers continued to hold their lead through the third quarter despite heavy pressure from the Saints. Weiss made five saves during the period, while Lauren Durfey (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls) and Keeley Savona (Kingston, NY/Kingston) each came up with defensive saves to keep St. Lawrence off the scoreboard. Utica also earned a penalty corner in the final minutes of the quarter as the Pioneers continued to protect their one-goal advantage.
St. Lawrence eventually found the equalizer late in regulation. Charlotte Lehr converted a penalty stroke with 3:44 remaining in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 1-1 and sending the contest to overtime.
The Saints continued to pressure in the extra period, but Weiss kept Utica alive with two more saves. The Pioneers battled hard until the end, but St. Lawrence eventually broke through at the 66:01 mark when Maddy Shaw scored to give the Saints the 2-1 overtime victory. Despite the loss, the Pioneers stood toe-to-toe with the tough Liberty League side.
Chase led the Pioneers offensively with two shots, both of which landed on goal, while Keeley Savona (Kingston, NY/Kingston) added three shots and two shots on goal. Weiss finished the afternoon with 13 saves, while Durfey and Savona each recorded a defensive save as the Utica defense battled throughout the contest.
The Pioneers returns to Utica for their home-opener next Saturday, September 12, when they host Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at 12 p.m. at ABM Field at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. Come on down to Gaetano Stadium to catch the team in action!
