UTICA, N.Y. -- The Washington & Jefferson College field hockey team opened Empire 8 league play with a 3-0 defeat at Utica on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Presidents fell to 0-1 in league play and 2-4 overall while Utica picked up its first E8 victory and moved to 1-5 on the season.
 
The Pioneers scored the game's first goal in the first quarter's final minute. Following a shot turned away by President goalkeeper Rena Israel (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny), Utica's Josie Sgarlata collected the ball and fired in the game's first goal with 33 seconds left in the period.
 
In the second quarter Madeline Hubbard (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg Area) registered the first W&J shot, however she was turned away by Utica goalie Megan Chamberlain in the 22^nd minute. The Presidents also limited the Pioneers to a single shot in the frame and Utica carried a 1-0 lead into the halftime break. 
 
In the third quarter Utica once again scored on rebound opportunity following a save to take a 2-0 edge in the game's 41^st minute.  Much like the first quarter, the Presidents were held without a shot or penalty corner in the third.
 
Utica tacked on an early goal in the fourth quarter to push its advantage to 3-0.
 
In the fourth quarter, W&J generated four shots and the team's only penalty corner of the afternoon. Following a penalty corner by Lina Crowley (Potomac, Md./Bullis School), Ashley Kunkle (East Berlin, Pa./Bohemian Manor) fired three quick shots in succession, however Chamberlain saved all three attempts. Crowley tacked on a SOG in the 58th minute. 
  
As a team, Utica outshot the Presidents 14-5 (11-5 SOG) and held a 4-1 edge in penalty corners.
 
Israel finished the day with seven saves and Kunkle led the offensive with three shots on goal. 
 
W&J field hockey hosts Ferrum in non-conference action at Cameron Stadium on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.