Utica 14, Medaille 13 - Box Score

Buffalo, N.Y. (4/2/2011) –The Utica College men's lacrosse team hung on a for a key 14-13 victory over non conference opponent Medaille College, in a game that featured four lead changes and five ties, Saturday in Buffalo, N.Y. The Pioneers, who had lost two one goal games headed into the contest, snapped a six game slide and improved to 2-6 overall on the year.

UC was led by senior Michael Schepis (Watertown, NY/IHC)' four goals and freshman Scott Baron (Flemington, NJ/Cushing Academy)'s career-high seven point evening. Schepis scored three of his four goals in the fourth quarter and Baron totaled two assists and one goal in the final 13:20 of the contest to help UC secure the victory.

After a sluggish third quarter the Pioneers found themselves down by one goal, 10-9, headed into the final 15 minutes of regulation. That's when UC decided to turn it up a notch, netting four consecutive (three man-up) goals in the first 2:54 of the final quarter to earn a 13-10 advantage with 13:06 to go.

Medaille answered with three of the game's final four goals, but Schepis was able to net a key insurance goal with 2:35 to play, and the Maverick's bid to tie the game with eight seconds to go hit the post as the Pioneers' hung on for the one goal victory.

Sophomore Ben Winkler (Rodman, NY/IHC) netted three goals and added one helper for Utica, while junior Oliver Barney (Vestal, NY/Vestal) totaled two goals and one assist. Barney also went 20-for-27 on face-off opportunities and picked up five ground balls. Junior captain Mick Krajacic (Clay, NY/Cicero North Syracuse) picked up a season-high 11 ground balls and added eight caused turnovers. Senior goalie Joe Davis (Vestal, NY/Vestal) posted another impressive evening, stopping eight shots in the victory.

Zachary Menapace (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker), TJ Benson (Central Square, NY/Paul V. Moore) and Chris Gibbs (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) each totaled one goal for UC, while Joe Schoen (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and David Craig (Brewerton, NY/Paul V. Moore) added one assist a piece.

The Pioneers outshot the Mavericks 46-36 on the afternoon and also earned a 48-31 ground ball advantage. The contest featured 28 total penalties and UC went 6-of-15 on man-up opportunities.

Utica's non conference schedule is now complete and the Pioneers will head to Rochester, N.Y. on Wednesday to take on Nazareth College in an Empire 8 Conference contest at 4 p.m.

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