Clinton, NY (March 11, 2014) – The Utica College men's lacrosse team rallied from a five goal deficit and made it a one goal game with 13 seconds left, but the comeback bid fell just short as host Hamilton earned a 10-9 victory and retained the Contineer Cup for the fourth consecutive season.

It was the first loss of the young season for the Pioneers, who are now 2-1 overall. Hamilton, which outscored UC 4-0 in the first quarter, collected its first victory of the year as its record moved to 1-3.

The Contineer Cup rivalry game began in 2011 and the traveling cup remains with the winner of the contest after each yearly meeting between crosstown rivals Utica and Hamilton. The win was Hamilton's 13th straight over Utica, who trails the all-time series 14-1. The teams' last three meetings at Hamilton have been decided by one goal.

Utica scored the game's final three goals, pulling to within a goal with 13 seconds left but Hamilton freshman Trip Connors won the ensuing face-off and the Continentals ran out the clock for the win.

A goal by Bryan Hopper with 7:36 left in the first half put the Continentals ahead 7-2 before the Pioneers began their rally by scoring four of the next five goals. Andrew Jamieson (Six Nations, ON/Hagersville) capped that run by scoring his second goal of the year 4:35 into the third quarter to pull Utica to 8-6. Hamilton's Joe Ricciuti scored the game's next two goals – giving him six on the season – before Utica's Zack Stevenson (Elbridge, NY/Jordan-Elbridge) closed out the quarter, beating Hamilton's Will Driscoll with nine seconds left.

The Pioneers' defense held the hosts to two shots on goal in the final quarter. Trent Jacobs (Akwesasne/Brewster Academy) scored his team-leading eight goal of the spring 1:43 into the period, converting a pass from jnuir transfer Christian Reiller (Salamanca, NY/Genesee CC). Reiller finished the afternoon with a career-high four assists. After Utica's ride forced a failed clear with 2:42 left in regulation, the Pioneers maintained possession until a goal by freshman Ross Cree (Akwesasne/Salmon River ) with 13 seconds left.

Connors won 15 of 22 face-offs in the game for Hamilton and led all players with 12 ground balls (Hamilton led the Pioneers 48-23 in ground balls).

Driscoll saved seven shots to pick up the win for the Continentals. Utica's Andrew DiOrio (Greenlawn, NY/CW Post) made nine saves.

Zack Stevenson (Elbridge, NY/Jordan-Elbridge) led Utica with five ground balls. Scott Baron (Flemington, NJ/Cushing Academy) and Sean Flanagan (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) both caused three turnovers.

Cree and Jacobs both scored a pair of goals for Utica. Jacobs, who is the College's reigning athlete of the week, now has a team-best 11 points this season on eight goals and three assists. Reiller ranks second on the team with nine points (five goals, four assists), while Cree now has seven points this season (four goals, three assists).

The Pioneers will travel to Kean University in Union, NJ for the first time in program-history on Saturday for a 1 p.m. face-off.