Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's soccer team fell 7-0 to Utica University on Wednesday afternoon. The Pioneers opened the scoring in the 29th minute and added two more goals before halftime to take a 3-0 lead into the break. Utica continued to build its advantage in the second half, scoring four additional goals to secure the victory. Skylar Blackwell made several saves throughout the contest as the Wildcats worked to slow down the Pioneers' attack.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Utica applied pressure early in the opening half, recording several shots and earning multiple corner kicks. Blackwell made saves on attempts from Bailey Hewson in the seventh minute, Adrianna Calabria in the 11th minute and Krista Panko in the 12th minute to keep the Pioneers off the scoreboard.
The Pioneers continued to threaten, with Calabria striking the crossbar in the 16th minute. Utica created additional opportunities through Panko, who hit the right post in the 22nd minute, while Cora Kraft sent a shot wide as the visitors continued to push for the opening goal.
Utica broke through in the 29th minute when Hewson found the back of the net off an assist from Ella Dischiavo to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead.
SUNY Poly looked to respond in the 34th minute when Madison Case put a shot on target, but Utica goalkeeper Emily Duro made the save to preserve the Pioneers' advantage.
Utica extended its lead in the 35th minute when Natalia Bell scored off an assist from Hewson, making it 2-0. Hewson added her second goal of the afternoon in the 38th minute to give the Pioneers a 3-0 advantage heading into halftime.
The Pioneers continued their offensive pressure to open the second half, with Hewson, Calabria, Abigail Jalocha and Madison Wagner each creating scoring opportunities. Blackwell made another save on Calabria's attempt in the 59th minute as SUNY Poly worked to keep Utica from adding to its lead.
Utica scored twice in quick succession in the 72nd minute, with Lily Martin finding the net before Ayla Flockton added another goal to extend the Pioneers' advantage to 5-0.
The Pioneers continued to generate chances throughout the second half, with Flockton recording additional attempts and Mallory Mower putting a shot on target in the 85th minute. Blackwell made the save on Mower's effort to keep the Wildcats battling defensively.
Utica added its sixth goal in the 82nd minute when Kraft found the back of the net. The Pioneers capped the scoring in the 88th minute as Sydney Rochefort scored to make it 7-0. SUNY Poly continued to look for an opportunity in the closing minutes, with Kara Mertz recording a shot in the 89th minute before the final whistle.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats return to action on Saturday, October 24, when they travel to face Nazareth University.
