Box Score Potsdam 10, Utica 9 -
Box Score
Potsdam, NY – The Utica College men's lacrosse team netted the game's final seven goals in the last 17:00 of regulation to help the Pioneers rally from a 10-2 deficit, but it proved to be too late, as host Potsdam State hung on for a 10-9 victory in non-conference action Saturday afternoon. UC's last seven goals came in a span of 10:45 to cut Potsdam's lead to 10-9, but UC could not manage to score in the final 6:15 of play, as the Bears came away with the one goal victory.
Junior
Ben Winkler (Rodman, NY/IHC), who registered a game-high six goals, notched five of his tallies in the Pioneers' final burst, while junior
Trent Thomas (Akwesasne, ONT/Massena) added both of his goals in the fourth quarter.
The Pioneers' have now lost two in a row and fell to 5-4 on the year, while Potsdam moved
its record to 4-2 overall.
The Bears won 15-of-23 face-offs and they also controlled possession by winning the ground ball battle, 45-31.
Utica had trouble in the first quarter once again, as the home team jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first 15 minutes of action. UC's
Scott Baron (Flemington, NJ/Cushing Academy) got the Pioneers on the board with 3:42 left in the first half to cut their deficit to 5-1, but Potsdam took the wind out of UC's sails 23 seconds before the half as Kyle Nicholas scored to give the Bears a 6-1 advantage.
Potsdam scored four of the first five goals in the second half to take a 10-2 lead before the Pioneers made their final charge.
Winkler and Thomas's late push fell just short as the home team earned the one goal victory.
Senior defender
Mick Krajacic (Clay, NY/Cicero North Syracuse) scooped up a team-high six ground balls and he also caused four turnovers. Senior goalie
Wilson Mukrdechian (Watertown, NY/Watertown) made 15 saves in between the pipes for Utica.
The Pioneers return home on Wednesday night when they host Empire 8 Conference opponent Hartwick College for a crucial contest at 4 p.m.
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