The rafters were packed at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium as the Utica University women’s lacrosse team brought a seven-game winning streak into their matchup against Keuka College on March 30. 

The game also coincided with Senior Day at the stadium, as graduating players were honored for their contributions to the team. Fueled by the cheers of the crowd, the team showed out with a dominating performance, ultimately winning by a score of 21-0.

“We played a complete and clean game for 60 minutes,” women’s lacrosse head coach Kristin St. Hilaire said. “A fantastic team victory to honor a group that has given so much to this program over the years.”

The game was marked by the performance of the Stuhlman sisters, Grace and Maria. The junior and freshman led the team with five points each in the contest.

Starting in net for the ninth time this season, goalie Makayla Purdy made two saves to pick up her first collegiate shutout, a feat that the freshman gives credit to her defense for making happen.

“It feels amazing to get my first collegiate shutout of the season and on Senior Night,” Purdy said. “Having a great team as a goalie helps me focus more on the ball.”

The Pioneers exploded out the gate, putting up 10 goals in the first quarter, three coming from Grace Stuhlman. This performance resulted in the junior’s eighth hat trick of the season.

Utica outshot Keuka 11-2 in the first, as well as winning 8-3 in draws. Going into the second quarter, the Pioneers scored five goals, two of them on the power play. Holding Keuka to zero shots in the second, Utica took a 15-0 lead into halftime.

For the second half, junior Karen Troche of Amsterdam replaced Makayla Purdy in net. She made three saves in the second half as the Pioneers cruised to a 21-0 victory.

Utica’s Grace Stuhlman complimented the togetherness that the captains bring to the group.

“For us, our biggest enemies are often ourselves,” Stuhlman said. “Our captains have been making it a point to stay positive on the field…They are all super dedicated to the team, and it has definitely shown.”

Utica finished ahead of Keuka in almost every facet of the game, finishing with 27 more overall shots (37-10), 20 more shots-on-goal (25-5), one more save (5-4) and seven more draw controls (16-8). 

The women’s lacrosse team has won ten games in a row, dating back to February. At the time of publication, the team won two games on the road, including a historic, first-ever win against Nazareth College on Saturday, April 6.

The team is currently tied for first place in the Empire 8 conference, making the upcoming matchup against St. John Fisher on Saturday, April 13 a big one. They’ll be back home in Charles A. Gaetano Stadium on Wednesday, April 17 to take on Hartwick College.