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Utica, NY – The Utica College men's lacrosse team opens up its 2011 season Wednesday against Cazenovia College. The Pioneers finished their 2010 season with an overall record of 5-10 including a
3-5 mark in the Empire 8 Conference.
Utica is 4-7 all-time on opening day and has not won its first game since coach Parnell's inaugural win on back on Mar. 11, 2006 when UC beat Babson 13-10. Last year, the Pioneers were 3-4 on their home turf while going 2-6 on the road. They lost four non-conference games by three or less goals (two by one goal), however, were outscored by an average of 9.8 goals per game in five conference losses. UC is 4-0 all-time against Cazenovia and have pounded the Wildcats by outscoring them 70-9 in those contests.
The offensive unit will be headed by sophomore Ben Winkler and senior's Kevin Conway and Michael Schepis. Winkler played in all 15 games and started in one for UC as a freshman. He had 12 points on 10 goals and two assists. Conway tied for seventh on the team with 12 points after recording nine goals and three assists in 15 games last season. In three years he has 23 points (17 goals and six assists) in 33 games played. He also has 17 career ground balls. Schepis played in all 15 games last season while starting in 11 of them and tallied 11 points on four goals and seven assists.
The UC defense will be led by junior captain Mick Krajacic and senior defenseman Matthew Crouse. Krajacic, 2011 Face-Off Yearbook Preseason All-American honorable mention, returns as the Pioneers top defender and has amassed quite the resume in a short period of time after being named to the ECAC Division III Upstate Men's Lacrosse All-Star Second Team and the Empire 8 All-Conference First Team just one year ago. This marked the first time in program-history a player has earned preseason All-American status and first team all-conference credentials. Crouse played and started in 14 games last year, causing six turnovers, and he tied for sixth on the team with 21 ground balls. Over the course of the last three seasons he has played in 30 career games. He has 28 career ground balls and three points. His leadership and experience will certainly bolster the Pioneers' defensive unit.
In net for Utica is senior Joe Davis and junior Wilson Mukrdechian who will battle for playing time as the season progresses.
The Pioneers return to action Monday, Mar. 14 as they welcome Potsdam State back to the schedule after a five-year hiatus. UC is 2-0 all-time against the Bears and have not yet met under current head coach Mike Parnell (entering his sixth-year). Utica beat Potsdam back in 2004 and 2005, outscoring them 36-16 in those two games. The Bears finished last season with an overall record of 7-8 including a SUNYAC record of 3-3.
---www.ucpioneers.com---
