Field Hockey | 10/30/2023 6:25:00 PM
No. 4 seed Utica University (7-10) defeated the fifth-seeded Russell Sage College Gators (6-10) in the opening round of the 2023 Empire 8 Field Hockey Conference Tournament from Gaetano Stadium on Monday evening, Oct. 30. The Pioneers will travel to face top-seed St. John Fisher University in semfinal action at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2.
Shannon Jedreicich led the way with two goals including the eventual game-winner in the fourth quarter. Alyssa Pisano was responsible for the team's other goal. Emily Frank and Riley Cosimeno each had one assist on the day. Amy Stevens scored both Russell Sage goals, giving her 20 on the season.
In cage, Hannah Young made five saves and allowed two goals en route to her first career playoff victory.
Utica's Mackenzie Mix and Russell Sage's Alyssa Fitzgerald each registered a shot in the first five minutes of the game. At 7:30 in the first quarter Pioneers' goalkeeper Hannah Young made a beautiful clear out of the zone which led to a Pioneer goal off a Utica penalty corner. Emily Frank dished off a pass from the top of the key to Shannon Jedreicich to give Utica a 1-0 lead with eight minutes left in the first.
In the final seconds of the quarter, Sage had a scoring chance off a corner of its own, but was denied by Young to send the game into the second at 1-0 in favor of Utica.
At 9:19 in the second quarter, Gators' Cheyanne Zobel fed Amy Stevens off a corner to even the match 1-1. However, the Pioneers struck back not long after.
With 4:31 left to play in the half, Alyssa Pisano found the back of the cage for an unassisted goal to give Utica a 2-1 advantage. Both teams combined for six shots and three saves in the quarter as they went into halftime with Utica up 2-1.
Stevens recorded another goal early in the third quarter with a missile of a shot to tie the game 2-2. Late in the quarter, Mix fired a shot but was denied by Gator goalie, Jaia Caron. Entering the fourth quarter the score was tied 2-2.
Early in the fourth quarter with 13:44 left, Jedreicich came through with what would be the deciding goal. After taking the corner, the graduate student shifted down near the crease where Riley Cosimeno found her on a give-and-go. Jedreicich wasted no time and shot the ball past Caron for the 3-2 Pioneers lead.
The Gators had four more shot attempts over the final 13 minutes of play including a pair over the final minute and a half that were blocked. Russell Sage had one final penalty corner in the final minute, but could not get a shot through.
2023 Empire 8 Field Hockey Tournament Schedule
Monday, Oct. 30 – First Round
No. 4 Utica defeated No. 5 Russell Sage, 3-2 – BOX SCORE
Thursday, Nov. 2 - Semifinals
No. 4 Utica at No. 1 St. John Fisher – 7 p.m. – LIVE STATS/VIDEO
No. 3 Houghton at No. 2 Hartwick – 4 p.m. – LIVE STATS/VIDEO
Saturday, Nov. 4 - Championship
Winner of Semifinal 1 vs. Winner of Semifinal 2 (at Highest Remaining Seed) – TBA – LIVE STATS/VIDEO
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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