GENESEO, N.Y. - SUNY Geneseo sophomore forwad Cara Stafford scored two goals to lead the Knights to a 2-1 victory over visiting Utica, Wednesday, at College Stadium.

Utica (1-5) opened the scoring in the fourth minute after senior midfielder Tori Couture came up with the ball in front of a crowded cage and scored on a hard five-yard shot.

Geneseo responded in the 27th minute after Stafford collected a rebound off a saved attempt during a penalty corner and lifted a shot into the upper left corner of the Pioneer goal to even the score.

Stafford struck again in the third minute of the second half, finishing off a pass from first-year forward Gabriella Clare with another high shot from close range into the Utica goal for what proved to be the game-winning tally. 

Knights senior goalkeeper Dayna Mercer logged nine saves while senior Utica tender Kells Casey registered 11 stops as Geneseo out-shot the Pioneers, 21-16.

The Knights finish off their three-game home stand on Saturday, hosting Morrisville in their State University of New York Athletic Conference opener at 1:00 p.m.