Box Score
Box Score

UTICA, N.Y. – Senior Katie Kutas (New York Mills, NY/New York Mills) scored three straight goals to lead Utica College field hockey team to a 3-2 victory over 20th-ranked Rensselaer. Kutas now has 10 goals on the season for the Pioneers, who improve to 7-6 overall (3-1 Empire 8). The Red Hawks fall to 8-5 on the season, including a 3-2 mark in the Liberty League.

Red Hawks senior Kristiina Baker (Bolton, MA/Nashoba Regional) scored from the side of the net less than a minute into the game off a pass from sophomore Audrey Newcomb (Southwick, MA/Southwick-Tolland Regional) for an early 1-0 lead.

RPI did not hold the lead for long, as Kutas tallied for the first time in the seventh minute. She was assisted by junior Elizabeth Knudsen (Rome, NY/Free Rome Academy).

Kutas put the home side up in the 26th minute, this time after receiving a crossing pass from freshman Mallory Mariano (Oneida, NY/ Vernon Verona Sherrill). Utica took a 2-1 lead and an 8-4 edge in shots into halftime.

Rensselaer picked up the pressure in the second half out-shooting the Pioneers 8-2 in the second 30 minutes, but could not turn the attempts into goals until it was too late.

Mariano and Rebecca Corsones (Hurley, NY/Kingston) set up Kutas for her third goal in the 54th minute. Corsones took a shot, which was deflected by Mariano, right to Kutas who buried the insurance marker.

The Red Hawks brought the game to within a goal in the 70th minute as sophomore Sandy Turnbull (Upperville, VA/Chatham Hall) finished, with an assist going to Baker.

Amanda McDonnell (Sagamore Beach, MA /Portsmouth Abbey) made nine saves for the Pioneers, while RPI freshman netminder Briana Earle (Baldwinsville, NY/C. W. Baker) had four.

The Red Hawks return to action on Tuesday when they host Castleton St. at Harkness Field (6pm).