ONEONTA, NY - (April 15, 2009) The Utica College men's lacrosse team won its second straight Empire 8 Conference game after a convincing 13-10 victory over host Hartwick College Wednesday afternoon. Junior Michael Brodhead (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) led the Pioneers with three goals while Michael Bulger (Watertown, NY/Immaculate Heart Central) had a game-high four assist.

With the win the Pioneers improve to 7-5 overall and 2-3 in conference play, beating the Hawks for only the second time in the program-history. Hartwick fell to 4-7 overall and 2-4 in the Empire 8 as they head to Ithaca College to play another conference battle on Saturday April 18.

UC scored four unanswered goals in the first quarter and never looked back maintaining the lead throughout the rest of the match. Senior co-captain Jodey McAvoy (Dexter, NY/General Brown) started the parade of scoring for the Pioneers netting the first goal of the game 10:14 into the first quarter. In the second quarter senior goal keeper Travis Wright (Watertown, NY/Watertown) scored his second goal of the season followed by a goal by Reed Reynolds (Orlando, FL/West Orange) just 40 seconds later, giving Utica a 6-2 commanding lead.

After leading for the first 4:56 of the contest, the Hawks fell behind but continued to chip away at the lead. Senior Alex Giovinazzo led the Hawks with a game-high five goals, while picking up one assist.

UC sophomore David O'Connell (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Ludden) opened the second half with back-to-back goals, both delivered from Michael Bulger (Watertown, NY/Immaculate Heart Central). After Hartwick answered by netting two goals of their own, Michael Bulger (Watertown, NY/Immaculate Heart Central) came back with two consecutive goals in 10 seconds. Early in the fourth quarter, the Hawks were able to net two goals bringing the score to 11-8 in UC's favor. Tom Collins (Camillus, NY/West Genesee) and Michael Brodhead (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) put out the Hartwick fire, each scoring a goal, but the Hawks would not go down quietly scoring another two goals cutting the lead to three. With 1:09 left in the competition, the Pioneers held a mere 13-10 lead and the Hawk's were circling. The Pioneers stellar defense proved to be to potent, nailing down the win.

Nine different Pioneers made it into the scoring column on the day led by Michael Brodhead's (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) three goals. Michael Bulger (Watertown, NY/Immaculate Heart Central) added two goals and four assists and David O'Connell (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Ludden) contributed two points. The Pioneers led the face-off battle winning 13 out of 25, while the Hawks won the ground ball crusade, 48-41, and out-shot UC 38-31.

Senior goalkeeper Travis Wright (Watertown, NY/Watertown) picked up his seventh win of the season compiling 18 saves and picking up nine ground balls. John Meade took the loss in the net for the Hawks, stopping 10 shots in his seventh loss.

The Pioneers return to action on Saturday April 18 when they travel to Elmira College in another Empire 8 contest. The game is set to start at 1 p.m.


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