Box Score

Utica, NY – The Elmira College Field Hockey team made its opportunities count, upending host Utica College 4-2 Wednesday afternoon on the road. Despite being outshot 24-7 in the contest and the Pioneers holding a 21-7 shots on goal advantage EC put all of its shots on goal and more than half in the back of the net. The Soaring Eagles improve to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in Empire 8 play, while the loss drops Utica to 5-3 overall and 1-2 in conference competition.

The Purple and Gold got off to a great start off a set piece 11 minutes in. Erin Duffy '14 took a penalty corner and played it to McKenna Light '14 who beat Utica goalie Olivia Cunningham. The Pioneers responded with two Louise Steele-Norton goals in less than a two minute span. Both scores came off of penalty corners with Colleen Dowling and Alaina Stojkovski being credited with assists on the scores. Overall, Utica held a remarkable 21-5 advantage in penalty corners in the game. With the two goals the Pioneers regained the momentum and took a 2-1 advantage into intermission.

In the 45th minute the Soaring Eagles were back in the scoring column, once again coming off a set piece. Duffy played a penalty corner to Shannon Nelligan '14 who drove a shot into the back of the goal to even the game at 2-2.  Four minutes later Elmira continued its incredible accuracy with its shots. Gina Maffei '13 fired an initial shot that was saved by Cunningham. Ashley Palmer '16 corralled the rebound drilling it past the goalie to regain the lead that EC would not relinquish the remainder of the contest. With 10 minutes remaining Elmira added a huge insurance goal as Palmer fed Sarah Harden-Marshall '14 ran into the offensive zone alone and beat Pioneer keeper Samantha Miller, who replaced Cunningham.

Lauren Thomas '14 played an incredible game in goal for Elmira as she stopped 19 shots, while giving up just two goals in the win. Cunningham made three saves, while Miller gave up one goal in the loss for Utica.

The EC Field Hockey team returns home Saturday when it takes on Houghton College at the Murray Athletic Center starting at 1:00 p.m.