SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Skidmore College field hockey team opened the 2026 season with an 8-2 victory over Utica on Tuesday afternoon at Wagner Park.
Ella Costa finished with a goal and three assists, while
Erin Ohlenbusch and
Catie O'Rourke scored twice apiece to give head coach
Kate Lenox a victory in her Skidmore debut.
- Skidmore (1-0) struck twice in the opening 8:05. Emma Houff opened the scoring at 6:47 when she put away a rebound in front before Ohlenbusch converted off a penalty corner from Costa just 1:18 later.
- First-year Izzy Blake pushed the lead to 3-0 at 25:33, scoring on a turnaround shot off a feed from Molly Van Vranken.
- The Thoroughbreds added two more in the third quarter. O'Rourke scored from Costa at 35:06 before Ohlenbusch connected on another Costa-assisted corner at 38:01 for her second goal of the afternoon.
- Utica (0-1) got on the board at 41:46 on a Lauren Durfey goal off a penalty corner.
- Skidmore scored three times over the final 4:23. Van Vranken made it 6-1 at 55:37, and Costa buried a rebound from Houff 1:20 later.
- After Utica's Gabby Chase scored at 58:25, O'Rourke capped the scoring with 34 seconds remaining, tipping home a play in from first-year Elle Guillot for her second goal.
- Costa's five-point afternoon led the Thoroughbreds. Houff and Van Vranken each had a goal and an assist, while six different Skidmore players scored.
- Skidmore controlled the statistical totals with a 32-8 advantage in shots, including 15-4 in shots on goal, and held a 13-6 edge in penalty corners.
- Nicole Sylvestri played a scoreless first half in goal to earn the victory. Lily Dreyfuss worked the final 30 minutes and made two saves.
UP NEXT
Skidmore remains home to host Geneseo on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 2 p.m. at Wagner Park.
