Box Score #20 Ithaca College, 15, Utica College 4 - Men's Lacrosse Final

Utica, NY (4/17/2013) – The nationally-ranked No. 20 Ithaca College men's lacrosse team used a stern defense all afternoon to help the Bombers defeat host Utica College 15-4 in Empire 8 Conference action Wednesday at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.  Utica (7-5, 2-3 Empire 8) lost its second straight contest against a top-20, Empire 8, opponent headed into another key conference contest at Elmira College on Saturday. 

Utica senior attack Ben Winkler (Rodman, NY/IHC) led the way for the Pioneers with three goals to give him a team-best 31 on the year, while sophomore Zack Stevenson (Elbridge, NY/Jordan-Elbridge) added the Pioneers' final tally in the fourth quarter, his tenth goal of the season. Utica freshman goalie Trey Adams (Hogansburg, NY/Brewster Academy) stopped 11 shots, picked up two ground balls and added one caused turnover. 

Ithaca's James Manilla and Steve Danylynshyn each registered a team-high three goals, while Pat Slawta chipped in with four assists and one goal.  Jake Long and Joe Perkins also tallied two goals apiece for the Bombers (9-4, 3-1 Empire 8).

The visiting Bombers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first 15 minute stretch and never really looked back as they won their second straight conference contest.  Ithaca held a 6-1 lead at halftime and outscored the Pioneers 9-3 in the final thirty minutes to earn the victory.  Bomber goalie Scott Sidnam stopped 11 shots and allowed three goals in the victory. 

The stat sheet was relatively even between the two conference opponents, as Ithaca outshot Utica 38-32, and earned a 32-25 advantage in the ground ball category.  The Pioneers won 14-of-22 face-offs (all 14 face-offs won by Stevenson).

Sean Flanagan (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) caused a team-best three caused turnovers for Utica, while Tom Byrne (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) added five ground balls and two caused turnovers.

David Craig (Brewerton, NY/Paul V. Moore) and Joe Schoen (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) each tallied an assist for the Pioneers. Ithaca senior defender Adam Wacenske had a great afternoon posting five ground balls three caused turnovers and one goal. 

The Pioneers wrap up road play on Saturday at Elmira before returning home to take on Hamilton next Wednesday in the third annual Contineer Cup (5 p.m.).  The Pioneers will close out regular season play on April 27th when they take on St. John Fisher College in a pivotal E8 game at Gaetano (1 p.m.).