CANTON, NY - The Utica College Pioneer football team dropped a heartbreaking 15-12 decision to host St. Lawrence University on Saturday afternoon in Canton, NY to open the 2003 season.

The Pioneers watched a 12-0 lead evaporate in the fourth quarter as St. Lawrence connected on a 34-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jon Blumhagen to wide receiver Rich Minckler at the 5:31 mark and a 57-yard end zone delivery from Blumhagen to receiver Brett Hughes with just 1:38 remaining in regulation. The Saints' final touchdown of the day was followed by a successful two-point conversion.

UC sophomore running back David Hogan (Concord, NH/Concord), who highlighted the team's ground game with 99 yards on the day, capped off an eight-play, 35-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown run to post the Pioneers' first points of the 2003 season with five minutes remaining in the second quarter. Sophomore fullback Paul Hart (Whitesboro, NY/Oriskany) scored the team's only other touchdown of the day with a four-yard end zone dash midway through the third quarter.

Senior quarterback Adam Luciano (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) completed 10-of-28 pass attempts with one interception for 78 yards to lead the Pioneer offensive effort, while freshman receiver Andrew Gallo (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) caught five passes for a total of 45 yards, including Luciano's longest delivery of 26 yards.

The Utica College defensive unit was led by senior linebacker Anthony Venturino (Utica, NY/DeSales), who finished with 12.5 tackles (eight solo), including two for a loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Senior linebacker Jason Colunio (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua) rounded out the team's top defensive performers with 6.5 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception.

The Pioneers take to the gridiron again on Saturday, September 13, when they host RPI in the 2003 home opener.

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