Utica Blanks Alfred To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
Utica, NY (10-22-11) - The Utica College women's soccer team snapped their six game losing streak Saturday as they shut out Empire 8 rival Alfred University, 3-0, in Alfred, NY. Sophomore stand out Sarah Southwell, of nearby Rome, NY, led the Pioneers as she netted two of Utica's three first half goals.
UC struck first as senior Jill Benoit netted her third goal of the season, unassisted, at 4:07. Benoit moves into a tie for third in UC scoring with nine points on three goals and one assist.
The game went scorless for over 24 minutes of play before Southwell converted a dish from junior Samantha Spohler, at 24:53, giving Utica a 2-0 advantage. Southwell recorded her fourth goal of the season while Spohler registered her third assist.
The Rome native found the back of he net again, just over 11 minutes later, at 35:07 as she drilled her fifth goal of the season, unassisted. She moved into second in team scoring with 13 points on five goals while Spohler is first 15 points on six goals, both have three assists.
UC out shot the Saxons 8-0 in the second half and had a 5-0 advantage on corner kicks. while the Pioneer defense held AU without a shot. On the day, Utica totaled 16 shots to Alfred's two and had a 10-1 edge on corners.
Senior Samantha Glockling, UC goalkeeper, recorded her first shut out as Utica improved to 4-10 on the season and 2-4 in E8 play.