Dallas, PA (March 14, 2009) - The Utica College men's lacrosse team improved to 1-2 on the year after a decisive 14-5 victory over host Misericordia University Saturday afternoon. Sophomore David O'Connell netted one goal and added three assists for the Pioneers.

The Pioneers are now 1-0 all-time against the Cougars and they snapped a four game losing streak dating back to April 12th of last season.

The Pioneers, who never trailed in the contest, opened up a 2-0 lead at the 8:46 mark of the first quarter behind goals from Corey Boulio and Michael Brodhead. The Cougars netted three of the game's next four goals to knot the contest up at 3-3 14:32 into the second quarter. UC answered with four consecutive goals to finish out the first half. Team leading scorer Michael Bulger started the four goal onslaught when he netted his tenth goal of the season, man-down, to give UC a 4-3 lead at the 13:05 mark of the second quarter. Senior captain Tom Collins then netted two straight goals and sophomore Michael Schepis closed out the second half scoring with his first goal of the year 15 seconds before the half.

UC outscored Misericordia 4-1 in the third quarter, highlighted by three consecuitve goals from Bulger, to give the Pioneers an 11-4 lead headed into the fourth and final quarter of the contest.

Utica closed out the final quarter by outscoring its opponent 3-1 over the course of the last 15 minutes. Brodhead completed his first collegiate hat-trick, while Boulio added a goal and sophomore Kevin Conway also added found the back of the net for the first time in his college career.

Senior goalie Travis Wright stopped 15 shots in his third victory as a Pioneer. Senior Aaron Benoit added two assists and he now has a team-best six on the year. The Pioneers out shot the Cougars 42-31 and earned a 39-27 ground ball advantage.

UC returns to action Tuesday when they travel to Catholic University to take on Babson College at 12 p.m.

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