Albany, NY — Russell Sage College women's soccer hosted Utica College on Wednesday afternoon in the team's season-opener. The Gators collected a 2-0 win beating the Pioneers to stand at 1-0 overall and in the Empire 8, while Utica drops to 1-1 overall and 1-1 in the league.  Sage added one goal in each half to earn the key league victory.

RSC's senior defender Stephanie Mason (Berne, NY/Berne-Knox-Westerlo) put the Gators on the scoreboard first with her tally at 17:10 on a shot from the far right side. Mason, who was limited to action in just five games a year ago, added her second career game-winning goal with her effort on Wednesday.

In the second half, junior Natalie Ricci (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes) added to the lead with her pass on a feed from senior defender Samantha Schmidt (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) at the 54:06 mark. Ricci, who is also a member of the RSC track and field teams, was named this week's Empire 8 Indoor Female Track Performer of the Week. Last season, the Gator newcomer led the squad with her 25 points on 10 goals and five assists. To date, Ricci now has 27 career points on 11 goals with five assists.

In goal for the Gators, sophomore keeper Kallan Shertzer (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) made five saves and earned her sixth career shutout.   Utica's rookie keeper Courtney Connolly (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) made eight saves with two goals allowed in the action and is now 1-1 in net.

RSC is back in action on March 21 hosting St. John Fisher College in a noon Empire 8 contest. A reminder, due to covid-19 protocols, fans are not permitted in attendance at contests this spring. 

                          Soccer Game Summary (Final)        UTICA vs Russell Sage College (03/17/2021 at Albany, NY)

UTICA (1-1, 1-1 E8) vs. Russell Sage College (1-0, 1-0 E8)

Attendance:  0                                Weather: Overcast, 45 degrees

Goals by period       1  2  Tot

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UTICA......................  0  0 -  0

Russell Sage College  1  1 -  2

SCORING SUMMARY:

1.  17:10 SAGEW Stephanie Mason (1) (unassisted) - Cross to right side

2.  54:06 SAGEW Natalie Ricci (1) (Samantha Schmidt) - cross left side into left corner

Shots: UTICA 8, Russell Sage College 18 Saves: UTICA 8 (Courtney Connolly 8), RSC 5 (Kallan  Shertzer 5)

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