Utica 7, Oswego 6 - Box Score

Oswego, N.Y. (3/30/2011) – The Utica College women's lacrosse team outscored host Oswego State 6-1 in a span of 35:27 and used that run to cling to a 7-6 victory over the Lakers in non conference play Wednesday afternoon. The Pioneers, winners of three in a row, almost saw a four goal lead slip away in the final five minutes but junior goalie Shelby Barbay (Waterloo, NY/Waterloo)'s ten second half saves helped UC improve to 3-1 on the year.

Senior attack Lily Fleskes (Dover, MA/Dover Sherborn) netted a season-high three goals to pace the Pioneers, while classmate Julianne Schultheiss (Commack, NY/Commack) added two goals. Senior Tammy Kohanski (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran) chipped in with a game-high four points (three assists, one goal) to help the Pioneers continue their non conference winning streak.

Utica used two unanswered goals in the final 17:49 of the first half to take a slim 3-2 advantage into intermission. The Pioneers came out of the gates hot in the second half, scoring two straight goals in a span of 1:11 to advance its lead to 5-2 with 26:01 left in regulation.

Oswego got on the board in the 23rd minute, but the Pioneers answered right back with two straight goals, from the sticks of Maria Santucci (Holliston, MA/Marian) and Schultheiss, to take a 7-3 lead with 12:22 to go.

Oswego was able to make the game real interesting with three goals in the final 4:43 of play, but it was not enough, as the Pioneers hung on for a one goal victory.

Junior Katlyn Banker (Henrietta, NY/Rush-Henrietta) totaled two assists and picked up two ground balls for the Pioneers, while senior defender Kelley Fullerton (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) added a game-high five ground balls and added one caused turnover.

Erin Cummings, Rachel Baffa and Bri Borrow each netted two goals apiece to pace the Lakers, while goalie Ashlee Engel stopped 15 shots in net.

Oswego outshot Utica 27-26 on the day, but the Pioneers earned a 21-10 advantage in ground balls. Both teams combined to go 0-16 on free position attempts.

The Pioneers return to the friendly confines of Charles A. Gaetano Stadium on Friday afternoon when they open up Empire 8 Conference play against nationally-ranked No. 9 Stevens Institute of Technology. The contest is the first of three straight home games for UC and it will begin at 4 p.m. Check www.ucpioneers.com for links to live video and stats.

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