UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's lacrosse team (4-7, 0-4 E8) fell to Elmira College (4-5, 1-3 E8) 12-7 in Empire 8 Conference action Saturday.

For the Soaring Eagles, Mike Szpiech (Hamilton, ONT/ Albany Academy) had five points on three goals and two assists. His first goal came at 7:37 of the second quarter with an assist by Sean Slater (Ashland, MA/ Ashland). His second goal was at 6:03 of the fourth when Phil Hill (Syracuse/ Corcoran) set him up for the shot. A few minutes later, Szpiech scored his third and final goal with an assist by Mike Bialick (Lebanon, NY/Westfield).

Bialick also had an impressive night for Elmira scoring two goals of his own and adding two assists. His first goal came in the second at 6:24, and his second at 6:10 of the fourth. Both were unassisted.

The Pioneers high scorer for the night was Ryan McGowan (Northport, NY/Northport) who scored three times, twice unassisted. His first goal came at 8:13 in the second quarter off an assist by Aaron Benoit (Cazenovia, NY/Cazenovia). His second and third goals were at 13:34 and 4:51 in the fourth.

Two other Pioneer goals were made by David O'Connell (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Ludden), the first was unassisted, and the second came off an assist by Tom Collins (Camillus, NY/West Genesee). Michael Bulger (Watertown, NY/Immaculate Heart Central) scored his team-best 19th goal of the season on an assist by Dave Misiaszek (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford).

Geoffrey Lane (Pennington, NJ/ Pennington) of the Soaring Eagles made five saves while the Pioneer's Anthony Carnevale (Seneca Falls, NY/Mynderse Academy) made ten saves.

The Pioneers return to action Saturday April 14th at 1:00 p.m. against visiting Alfred University in Empire 8 Conference action.