Utica Defeats Ithaca 1-0 to Advance to E8 Championship
The second-seeded Utica College field hockey team advanced to the Empire 8 Championship game as it downed third seeded Ithaca College 1-0 Saturday afternoon in the semifinal game hosted by Stevens Institute of Technology. With the win, the Pioneers advance to the Championship on Sunday against #4 St. John Fisher College.
Despite a number of scoring chances and UC outshooting the Bombers 15-2, the game was scoreless after the first half. UC came out flying to begin the second stanza, with the majority of play taking place in the Ithaca defensive zone.
Junior
Louise Steele-Norton was able to break the deadlock in the 56th minute with her 15th goal of the season. Freshman
Emily Gascon centered a long pass from the right side of the field, to Steele-Norton who fired the ball in from 6 yards out.
The Utica defense was able to sustain the late Ithaca attack, including three penalty corners in the final seven minutes to hold on for the victory. UC outshot Ithaca 38-3 and held a 20-1 advantage in shots on goal.
Kells Casey made one save in the win, while her counterpart, Katie Lass had an impressive day, stopping 19 shots in net for Ithaca.
With the win, the Pioneers come one step closer to defending their Empire 8 Championship. UC (15-4) takes on Fisher after the Cardinals upset No. 1 seed Stevens 3-1 in the first semifinal game. Sunday's Championship game will be at 1 p.m.