ONEONTA, NY – Visiting Utica College got off to a quick start, scoring six times in the opening 3:18 en route to an 18-7 victory over Hartwick on Saturday in Empire 8 Conference women's lacrosse action at Wright Stadium.
           
With the setback, the Hawks drop to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the Empire 8. Utica improves to 5-3 and 1-1 in league play.
           
Seven different Hawks scored on the day. Courtney Coons (Wilton, NY/South Glens Falls), Lauren Rosenberg (Smithtown, NY/Commack), Ashley Werner (Saugerties, NY/Saugerties), Jessie Matt (Cazenovia, NY/Cazenovia), Megan Young (Gansevoort, NY/Schuylerville), Emily Jweid (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro), and Colleen Jones (Ardsley, NY/Hackley) found the net.
           
Jweid dished out two assists with Young, Ally Naja (Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls), and Lisa Littleton (Yorktown, NY/Yorktown) each adding one helper.
           
After Utica registered the game's first six tallies, Coons netted her fifth goal of the season for the Hawks to get them on the scoreboard at 26:08. The Pioneers, however, would score another six goals over the next 13 minutes to pull away for a 12-1 lead.
           
Rosenberg scored her 14^th goal of the year with Jweid assisting at 7:48. Werner then closed out the first-half scoring at 3:29 with Jweid earning the helper and the Hawks were down 13-3 at halftime.
           
Matt, Young, and Jweid each registered goals for 'Wick in the first 13 minutes of the second half. Jones tallied to close the match with 2:31 remaining.
           
Steph Luce (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs) and Mel Niewender (New Hyde Park, NY/New Hyde Park Memorial) tied for a team-high with three ground balls. Luce also made 13 saves in cage in the opening 55 minutes of action. Carla Centanni (Milford, PA/Delaware Valley) relieved her for the final five minutes of action.
           
Jweid secured a team-high three draws for 'Wick. Meagan Wright (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) and Melissa Gifford (Penacook, NH/Merrimack Valley) each had two.
           
Utica was paced by Megan Kane's seven goals. Rebecca Plunkett added three goals and a game-high seven draws.
           
Hartwick next plays on Tuesday against cross-town rival SUNY Oneonta. Game time is 5 p.m.