Scaccia's Late Goal Lifts Utica over Houghton
HOUGHTON, NY- Sophomore Sydney Scaccia netted the game-winner with just 31 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Utica College field hockey team to a 3-2 win over host Houghton College in Empire 8 Conference action Saturday.
The Pioneers (4-3) have now won three in a row and are 2-0 in E8 play. Utica will carry its momentum into a big non-conference clash against local rival, Hamilton College on Tuesday. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.
Utica jumped out to a quick lead as junior Ricki Haab scored just 57 seconds into the game. Jenny Robbins assisted on Haab's third of the year. Scaccia gave UC an insurance tally in the 24
th minute as she netted an unassisted tally.
Houghton got one back at 28:27 as Hannah Daniels put in a feed from Nicole Jennings for her first of the season. The Highlanders were able to capitalize off a penalty corner with no time remaining in the first half when Beth Wagner netted her fourth of the year to tie it up at 2.
The score remained the same for over 34 minutes until Scaccia found the back of the net off an assist by Rylee Meelan to send the Pioneers home with the victory.
Freshman Megan Chamberlain made four saves in the win, while her counterpart, Sarah Olandt, had five saves for Houghton. Meelan also collected a defensive save to help preserve the win.