Nazareth defeats Utica, 15-9
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Playing in her final regular-season home game, Nazareth senior Kristine Olijnyk helped lead Nazareth past visiting Utica in women's lacrosse Sunday as the Golden Flyers won their second game of the weekend, 15-9 over the Pioneers.
Olijynk scored five goals and added one assist and sophomore Alyssa Johnston added four goals and one assist as Nazareth improved to 8-3 overall and 3-1 in the Empire 8. Utica dropped to 4-5 overall and 1-4 in conference games. Before the game, Nazareth honored its five seniors: Olijnyk, Michelle Cook, Chelsey Amidon, Sarah McCaskill and Alyssa Mulheron.
Olijnyk scored three times in the first 15 minutes of play as Nazareth surged to a 7-0 lead and were in control the rest of the way. She scored unassisted just :47 into the game and later capped the scoring run off an assist from freshman Amy McIntosh. Olijnyk scored again just :20 before halftime to run Nazareth's lead to 9-3.
Goals by sophomore Megan Cregan and Olijnyk to open the second half extended Nazareth's lead to 11-3. Utica made a game of it by scoring five of the next seven goals, but Johnston scored three of her goals in the second half, including her team-best 33rd goal of the season, as Nazareth maintained a comfortable advantage.
Sophomore Leah Cronister also scored twice for Nazareth, including Nazareth's final goal of the game off an assist from Cregan with 2:16 to go.
Johnston also had five draw controls and three caused turnovers. Amidon had a goal and an assist with four caused turnovers. Freshman Tara Prosak played all 60 minutes in goal and made 10 saves. Tammy Kohanski paced Utica with six goals.