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ROCHESTER, NY -  Nazareth dropped its fourth straight game in a heartbreaking loss to Utica this afternoon in Empire 8 field hockey action.  The team played 100 scoreless minutes before the Pioneers defeated the Flyers 1-0 in penalty strokes.

Utica out-shot Nazareth 32-13 and had an 18-6 advantage in penalty strokes but struggled getting the ball past Kelsey Evans who finished with 22 saves for the Golden Flyers. 

After regulation, the teams played through two scoreless overtime periods, 15 minutes each.  Both teams had several scoring opportunities in overtime but both Evans and Utica's Monica Storms came up with big one-on-one saves in goal. 

Each team had five penalty stroke opporutnities.  The Pioneers Mallory Mariano scored the first goal of the stroke off to give Utica a 1-0 lead.  Nazareth's Lindsey Smith tied it up 1-1 scoring on her penalty stroke.  The teams then exchanged a couple of wide shots before Utica's Kim Martin scored to give the Pioneers a 2-1 advantage.  Nazareth was then rejected with their final two scoring opportunities with saves by Storms to give Utica a 1-0 win.

Nazareth travels to Houghton College Wednesday, September 22 for a 4:30 p.m. game.  They are home again on Tuesday, September 28th at 4 p.m.