Box Score UTICA, N.Y. – Visiting Morrisville State College women's lacrosse fell in non-conference action Tuesday afternoon, dropping a 16-7 final decision to host Utica College in Utica.
With the loss, Morrisville State drops to 3-3 overall, and will resume play Friday as they open North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) play hosting Hilbert College.
Five different Mustangs posted points in the efforts on the day, including Gianna Branca (Camillus, N.Y.) who collected a team high two goals, adding an assist.
Celia Abbott (Shortsville, N.Y.) added two scores, as well, with teammates Jordan Anderson (West Edmeston, N.Y.), Courtney Cavellier (Rodman, N.Y.) and Chelsea McNeal (Ithaca, N.Y.) each netting one apiece.
Anderson also added two assists, to go along with her team best six ground balls, three caused turnovers, and four draw controls.
Kallie George (Tully, N.Y.) registered eight saves in the loss in net, adding four ground ball pick ups of her own.
Morrisville State opened all scoring on the day, netting the first tally a mere 49 seconds into the game off the stick of Anderson, before Utica responded to even the game at one at 24:33.
After a tally by Abbott 35 seconds later, Utica rallied for seven straight scores to take a commanding 7-2 lead with just under two minutes remaining in the half.
Branca was able to notch her 19th of the season in the closing minute of the half, making it an 8-3 ball game at the break.
Morrisville State was able to pull within four with 22 minutes showing on the clock in the second half, after back-to-back goals from Cavellier and Branca, but the Pioneers posted four straight to regain an eight goal lead with 13:35 to go.
McNeal and Abbott posted two straight for the Mustangs in just over a minute's time from one another, but it wasn't enough as Utica closed out the contest with three consecutive scores to secure the win.
Utica held the 38-15 advantage in shots on the day, and edged the Mustangs in the ground ball battle, 29-21.
Morrisville State faces off against Hilbert at 4 p.m. Friday on Drake Field on the Morrisville State campus.
Morrisville State College's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2016 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2016 Best Colleges rankings. For more information about Morrisville State College, visit www.morrisville.edu.
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