PLATTSBURGH, NY (March 7, 2009) - The Utica College men's lacrosse team trailed 11-9 at half but they could only muster four goals in the final two quarters as they dropped a 20-13 decision to host Plattsburgh State in the season opener for the Pioneers Saturday. Junior Michael Bulger netted five goals and added one assist to pace the Pioneers.
With the loss the Pioneers dropped to 0-1 overall and they are now 0-4 in four meetings all-time against the Cardinals. Plattsburgh improved to 2-1 on the year after Saturday's victory.
After four straight goals in lees than two minutes late in the first quarter Plattsburgh took a 6-2 lead with 5:29 left in the opening stanza. UC sophomore attacker David O'Connell answered for the Pioneers with his first goal of the season to cut the Cardinals lead to 6-3 with 23 seconds left on the first quarter clock.
In a span of four minutes in the second quarter the Pioneers netted four straight goals to knot the contest up at 8-8 with 4:20 to go in the first half of play. Plattsburgh responded with three goals in the next 1:18 of play to take an 11-8 lead, before UC's Michael Bulger netted the final goal of the half to cut the Cardinals lead to 11-9 at halftime.
Bulger netted two second half goals while Tom Collins and David O'Connell each added one goal apeice but the Cardinals outscored UC 9-4 in the second half to earn the seven goal victory.
UC senior goalie Travis Wright stopped 16 shots in his first loss of the season while Matt Billia made 18 saves in net for Plattsburgh.
O'Connell netted four goals while senior attacker Aaron Benoit added one goal and three assists. Collins finished the day with one goal and two assists for UC and junior Andrew Waite rounded out the double-digit scorers for UC with two assists.
The Pioneers return to action Wednesday when they take on visiting Hamilton College for a non conference contest on the turf at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The contest is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. UC is 1-6 in seven previous meetings against the Continentals.
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