HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 27, 2018)  – Six different players found the back of the net as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team capped a perfect Empire 8 Conference regular season with a 6-0 victory over Utica College Saturday at a cold and soggy DeBaun Athletic Complex.

Junior Julia Panko opened scoring in the 31st minute, burying a crossing ball from junior Gabby Saade to record her seventh goal of the year. Sophomore Kaitlyn Casiano began the play with a long run before finding Saade, who immediately played the touch to Panko. 

Senior Olivia Butera and freshmen Ginger Harris, Taylor Whitlock, Sierra Ghougasian and Fiona Matthews also scored for Stevens, who won its 11th straight match to improve to 13-2 and 8-0 in the Empire 8 Conference. 

Allison Wagner made four saves for Utica, who fell to 10-6-2 on the year and 5-2-1 in the E8. Stevens' victory snapped Utica's five-match winning streak. The Pioneers will be the second seed in next weekend's E8 Championship and will take on third-seeded Hartwick in Friday's first semifinal.

Freshman Izzy DiDario did not see a shot in earning her 11th win of the season. DiDario lowered her conference-leading goals against average to .478. Sophomore Erika McCarthy relieved the Scotch Plains, New Jersey native in the 69th minute and made one save in the combined clean sheet.

Prior to the match, seniors Zisi Komar and Misha Brewster, joined Butera and classmate, and current student assistant coach, Madi Chollet were honored in a special prematch ceremony. This year's senior class has combined for a 61-12-5 record to date, including a 30-1-1 mark in regular-season conference competition. 

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens fired 26 shots including 10 on goal. The Ducks scored four times in the second half on 10 shots.
• The Ducks earned 10 corners, while keeping Utica off the board in the statistic. It marked the second time this season that Stevens held an opponent without a corner.
• The teams combined for just seven fouls.
• The markers by Whitlock and Ghougasian were there first career tallies. Ghogasian recorded her first career point on Harris' goal.
• Mellett picked up her first point of the season with am assist on Whitlock's goal. The Harriman, New York native nearly scored her first goal of the season 20 minutes prior, but Wagner deflected the senior back's scoring attempt, leading to Whitlock's goal off the rebound.

Unsung Heroes

• Stevens largely kept play in the attacking third and when Utica did cross midfield, a smothering defense held Utica to just three shots. The combination allowed just one shot to the conference's leading scorer, Mikayla Blumenstock.

From the Sidelines

• "Great way to close out the regular season. [We] moved the ball well and created chances on a slick field and a low block."
• "We played very fluid at times tonight and found a good rhythm."
• "[We] did a better job of finishing some of those chances in the second half and set ourselves up well to host E8s next weekend."

Up Next

• Stevens opens the 2018 Empire 8 Conference Tournament Friday evening against #4 Sage.
• The Ducks bested the Gators 6-2 in both teams' conference opener on Sept. 15.
• Stevens will be in search of its fourth straight conference championship, which would be a first in Empire 8 history.
• Live stats and video links are available at StevensDucks.com.

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