Hartwick 11, Utica 7 - Box Score

Oneonta, N.Y. (4/20/2011) – The Utica College men's lacrosse team scored four of the game's final five goals but time expired on the Pioneers comeback as they lost 11-7 in Empire 8 Conference play at Hartwick College Wednesday. Sophomore Ben Winkler (Rodman, NY/IHC) netted a team-high two goals for UC, while junior Zachary Menapace (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) and freshman David Craig (Brewerton, NY/Paul V. Moore) each added one goal and two assists.

The Pioneers (2-10, 0-5 Empire 8) hope to snap a four game slide on Saturday when they travel to Elmira College to take on the Soaring Eagles in a conference contest at 1 p.m.

UC jumped out to a 1-0 lead just over five minutes into the contest when Menapace tallied his fifth goal of the season to open the scoring on the afternoon. Hartwick found the back of the net three consecutive times to take a 3-1 lead 4:58 into the second half of play. Senior captain Kevin Conway (Clinton, NY/Clinton) was able to cut the Pioneers' deficit to one goal with just one second left on the first half clock when he tallied his lone goal of the contest, off an assist from freshman Joe Schoen (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), to put UC right back in the contest.

UC junior faceoff man Oliver Barney (Vestal, NY/Vestal) helped the Pioneer's knot the score at 3-3 early in the second half. Menapace assisted on the Pioneers game-tying goal.

Hartwick went on to rattle off seven straight goals to take a commanding 10-3 lead with 8:30 left in regulation. That's' when UC turned it on again, scoring four goals in the final 7:37 but it proved to be to late, as Hartwick went on to win by four. Freshman Chris Gibbs (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) netted his third goal of the season for UC.

Hartwick (7-7, 2-4 Empire 8) outshot UC 48-29 on the day and also went 2-for-8 on man-up opportunities.

Junior defender Mick Krajacic (Clay, NY/Cicero North Syracuse) scooped up a game-high eight ground balls and caused three turnovers, while senior captain Matthew Crouse (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran) added four caused turnovers and four ground balls. Junior goalie Wilson Mukrdecian stopped 17 shots in the loss.

                                                                      --- www.ucpioneers.com ---