The Utica College men's lacrosse team dug itself out of a 7-1 first quarter hole, and outscored host Scranton 9-7 in the second half, but the deficit proved to be to great as the Pioneers lost 15-13 Saturday in their season opener.

Senior Michael Bulger (Watertown, NY/Immaculate Heart Central) led the way for UC with six points on four goals and two assists while classmate Michael Brodhead (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) added three goals and one assist. Utica scored seven of the game's final nine goals - including two man-down goals with under three minutes to go in the contest - but the clock ran out on the Pioneers comeback.

Scranton won 24-of-30 face offs on the day but the Pioneers responded with 16 caused turnovers including a career-high 10 from sophomore Mick Krajacic (Clay, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse).

The Royals, who defeated nationally-ranked No. 12 Ithaca College 12-5 on Tuesday, scored the first five goals of the contest before UC senior Corey Boulio (Carthage, NY/Immaculate Heart Central) found the back of the net to open the scoring for Utica.

The Pioneers turned it on in the second quarter and outscored the Royals 3-1 to cut the deficit to 8-4 at halftime. Bulger, Tanner Stewart (Lowville, NY/Lowville) and John Gordano netted second quarter goals for Utica.

Scranton came out of the half hot and netted four of the first five goals in the second half to take a 12-5 lead midway through the third quarter.

UC would outscore Scranton 8-3 in the final 23 minutes and they were able to cut the lead to one goal, 14-13, with under three minutes to go. Bulger and Brodhead's man-up goals with under three minutes to play gave the Pioneers a chance but it was too little, too late after the Royals netted the game's final goal with 42 seconds left in regulation.

Senior captains Andrew Waite (Lowville, NY/Lowville), Corey Boulio (Carthage, NY/Immaculate Heart Central) and Reed Reynolds (Orlando, FL/West Orange) each added one goal and one assist, while Clinton native Kevin Conway (Clinton, NY/Clinton) also added a goal and a helper. Senior Tanner Stewart (Lowville, NY/Lowville) netted one goal and added two assists for Utica.

Senior goalie Travis Wright (Watertown, NY/Watertown) stopped ten shots in the loss, while his counterpart Jeremy Dowiak made seven saves.

The Pioneers cleared 23-of-29 opportunities and went 4-for-6 with a one man advantage.

Utica returns to action Saturday against local rival Hamilton College. The contest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

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