UTICA, NY (April 11, 2009) - The Utica College men's lacrosse team defeated visiting Alfred University 11-7 in Empire 8 conference play Saturday afternoon. Junior Corey Boulio (Carthage, NY/Immaculate Heart Central) netted a game-high three goals and added one assist on the day.

With the win the Pioneers improved to 8-3 overall and picked up their first conference win, good for a 1-3 conference mark. The Saxon's fall to 6-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play. UC has now taken a one game advantage in the all-time series against Alfred, leading 5-4 dating back to the 2000 season.

UC was able to take an early lead when attack Michael Bulger (Watertown, NY/Immaculate Heart Central) grabbed his 27th goal of the season 1:43 into the first quarter. Alfred's Mike Russo answered back when he scored the first goal for the Saxon's off a pass from freshman Drew Belica 10:52 into the quarter. The Pioneers would then score two quick goals when John Giordano (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) netted an unassisted goal followed by David O'Connell's (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Ludden) 14th a goal of the season, off a pass from Michael Brodhead (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse). UC would score two more goals in the first quarter, after senior Aaron Benoit (Cazenovia, NY/Cazenovia) and junior Corey Boulio (Carthage, NY/Immaculate Heart Central) both added a goal each. Alfred was able to cut the lead to one, scoring three more goals headed into the second quarter down 5-4.

In the second quarter UC scored four unanswered goals, which proved to be too big of a lead for the Saxon's. David O'Connell (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Ludden) and Corey Boulio (Carthage, NY/Immaculate Heart Central) both scored their second goal of the day, while junior Michael Brodhead (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) picked up two goals of his own to give the Pioneers a 9-5 advantage at the end of the second quarter. O'Connell and Brodhead both finished the day with two goals and one assist each.

The scoring slowed down in the second-half as the Pioneers and Alfred were both only able to score two more goals each. Co-captains Tom Collins (Camillus, NY/West Genesee) and Aaron Benoit (Cazenovia, NY/Cazenovia) teamed up when Collins picked up his 15th goal of the season off a pass from Benoit at the end of the third quarter. Corey Boulio (Carthage, NY/Immaculate Heart Central) scored his third goal of the day in the fourth quarter and added a game-high seven ground balls for the contest.

Senior goalkeeper Travis Wright (Watertown, NY/Watertown) compiled 11 saves and seven ground balls on the day picking up his eighth win of the season. Sophomore Adam Schutz stopped 16 shots and took the loss for the Saxon's. The Pioneers won 13 of the 21 face-offs and picked up 32 ground balls while out shooting Alfred 45-30.

The Pioneers return to action Wednesday, April 15 when they travel to Hartwick College for an Empire 8 match-up. The contest is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.

-www.ucpioneers.com-