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 led the way for UC with six points on four goals and two assists while classmate Michael Brodhead 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 Mike Krajacic.

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 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 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, Corey Bouio and Reed Reynolds each added one goal and one assist, while Clinton native Kevin Conway also added a goal and a helper. Senior Tanner Stewart netted one goal and added two assists for Utica.

Senior goalie Travis Wright 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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