PRINCE ATHLETIC COMPLEX – A suffocating defensive effort from visiting SUNY Geneseo and a timely goal in the third quarter lifted the Knights to a big non-conference matchup on Wednesday afternoon defeating the University of Rochester field hockey team 1-0.
 
The matchup was setup the be highly-billed, with both teams sitting in the Division III national rankings this week. Rochester entered the matchup at #22, while Geneseo slotted in two spots behind at #24.
 
Geneseo saw its efforts on the defensive end hold the Yellowjackets (11-3) without a shot attempt across all 60 minutes, the first time that has happened since Wendy Andreatta became head coach at URochester back in 2007. The previous low shot total was one in a loss to SUNY Cortland back in 2008.
 
The Knights got their goal off the stick of Aubree Wenner in the 38th minute of the game. The nine yard shot from the middle of the circle bounced in front and was deflected in by a defender just past Rochester keeper Kara Houston in the cage.
 
Geneseo led 18-0 in shots and also did not surrender a penalty corner to the Yellowjackets, with central defender Shannon Cunningham doing the bulk of the work defending the goal in front of keeper Bridget Schafer.
 
Rochester was able to get into the circle a few times throughout the afternoon, with one right wing shot on target by Anya Arseneau being negated after being ruled too high.
 
Already with a 1-0 lead, the Knights looked to add to their lead with some pressure offensively in the final five minutes, but Houston was able to make three saves, with Kyla Byer also picking up a defensive save, denying Wenner another goal scoring chance.
 
Houston ended up with six saves in goal for the Yellowjackets.
 
Offensively, the Knights were led by Ella Greico who had five shots and Sam Lewis who took four attempts. Wenner ended with three shots and the lone goal of the contest.
 
URochester's matchup with Geneseo was the final non-conference matchup of the season, as the final five games all are Liberty League contests. That stretch starts on Saturday with UR taking on Ithaca on the road at 1 p.m.