WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Kelly Knisel (Weatogue, Conn./Simsbury) recorded her first career hat trick and Amanda Steffey (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) became just the third President to reach 100 career points in a 4-0 Empire 8 win against Utica.

The victory keeps the Washington & Jefferson field hockey team unblemished on the season, improving to 9-0 overall, including a 4-0 mark in Empire 8 matches. Utica drops to 2-9 this year and 1-4 in the E8.

Knisel scored twice in the first 16:36 of the match to put W&J ahead for good. Her first goal was assisted by Rachel Buyan (Huntington Beach, Calif./Edison) at 9:52, while the second came off a long cross from Laura O'Malley (Cresco, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) at 16:36.


Just over 20 minutes into the second half, at 55:42, Steffey tallied her seventh goal of the season after beating a diving goalie thanks to an assist by Rachel Fromm (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) to enter the W&J record books and join Jennifer Marabella (2009-12) and Beth Kelley (2004-07) as the lone W&J field hockey players to tally 100 career points.

Knisel completed her hat trick with 2:30 remaining in the game when she chipped the ball over the keeper, who came to challenge, after a pass from Lauren Brown (Novi, Mich./Novi).

Karlie Baran (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Liberty) extended her scoreless streak over 300 minutes, to 301:37, and four-straight games, thanks to three saves.

The Presidents outshot the Pioneers 12-6, including 7-1 in the first half, led by Steffey's five shots and Knisel's three shots.

W&J will host Frostburg State (Md.) in nonconference action at Cameron Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 5. The match is set for a 7 p.m. start time.