Box | Updated stats
UTICA, N.Y. -- Host Utica used a pair of second-half goals to defeat Nazareth in an Empire 8 Conference field hockey game, 4-2, at Gaetano Stadium.

The Pioneers improved to 6-3 overall and remained unbeaten in the Empire 8 at 3-0. Nazareth had a three-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 6-4 overall and 1-2 in conference games.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first 18 minutes on a pair of goals by Utica's Shannon Moats, Nazareth rallied to score twice before halftime to tie the score. Freshman Kailee O'Hara scored her fifth goal of the season at 25:35 when she tipped in a crossing pass from senior Kelly Flanagan.

About seven minutes later, Flanagan scored her fifth goal of the season on a tip-in of a pass by sophomore Nina Fargnoli.

Utica took control in the second half as the Pioneers outshot Nazareth 12-1 and had a 10-0 advantage in penalty corners. Lindsey Jester, who assisted on Utica's first goal, scored both Utica goals in the second half off assists from Rebecca Corsones.

Jester's first goal came in the 42nd minute after she received a crossing pass from Corsones and scored from about 10 yards out. Jester helped seal the win with less than four minutes to play as she tipped in a pass from Corsones.

Nazareth goalie Kelsey Evans made nine saves. Utica's Monica Storms made one.

Nazareth's next game is Wednesday at home against Geneseo at 6:30 p.m.