UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's lacrosse team netted four goals in the first 4:28 of the contest, and went on to outscore visiting Oswego State 6-2 in the second half, as the Pioneers earned a convincing 12-6 victory over the Lakers at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Utica's Alex Finnegan (Bay Shore, NY/Islip) netted a career-high four goals, while senior Zack Stevenson (Elbridge, NY/Jordan-Elbridge) added a career-high five points (three goals, two assists).

The Pioneers have now won four in a row, and five of their last six games, as their record improved to 5-2 overall on the season.  After starting the season 3-0, the visiting Lakers have now dropped two straight contests as their record moved to 3-2 overall on the season. 

Liam Wheatley (Rochester, NY/Webster Schroeder) also chipped in with two goals and one assist for the Pioneers, while Brickman House (Oneida, WI/Pulaski) added a career-best two goal effort. 

Senior goalie Andrew DiOrio (Greenlawn, NY/CW Post) stopped six shots in his fifth win of the season and he has now allowed six goals or less in four straight games. 

Utica opened the contest with four quick goals to take a 4-0 lead in the first 4:28 of the game.  Stevenson, Finnegan, House and Wheatley scored the game's first four goals for Utica.

Oswego went on to rattle off three consecutive goals to make it a 4-3 game with 13:30 left in the first half.  UC outscored the visitors 2-1 in the final 7:38 of the second quarter to take a 6-4 lead into halftime.

UC dominated the third stanza, outscoring the visitors 4-0 in the 15 minute stretch, as the Pioneers earned a 10-4 lead headed into the fourth and final quarter of action. Finnegan added two third quarter goals, while Stevenson and Patrick Mulligan (Commack, NY/Commack) each added one goal apiece. Matthew Miller (Geneva, NY/Geneva) registered his lone assist of the game on Finnegan's second goal of the third quarter.

Both teams' netted two fourth quarter tallies as the Pioneers came away with the six goal victory.  House and Finnegan netted the fourth quarter goals for UC.  

Utica was 14-for-16 on the ride and the Pioneers also outshot the visitors 28-25 on the day. 

Senior defender Tom Byrne (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) caused three turnovers and picked up three ground balls for Utica, while Wheatley added three ground balls and Finnegan posted three caused turnovers.

Nick Giampaolo posted four ground balls and two assists for the Lakers.  Matt Palmer also chipped in with one goal and one assist for Oswego. Wyatt Russo stopped three shots in net for the Lakers.

Wednesday's six goal victory helped Utica snap a five game losing streak in the series against Oswego.

Utica returns to action on Saturday when the Pioneers host SUNY Canton on Breast Cancer Awareness Day at Gaetano Stadium (1 p.m.).  The Pioneers will dawn pink warm-ups and donations will be accepted as fans enter the stadium.  All proceeds from the contest will benefit the American Cancer Society.