UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's lacrosse team improved its record to 6-2 for the first time in program-history on Saturday as the Pioneers topped visiting SUNY Canton 16-3 in non-conference action on Breast Cancer Awareness Day at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.
The Pioneers, who also won their fifth straight game for the first time in program-history, were led by a career-high four goals and one assist from sophomore
Matthew Miller (Geneva, NY/Geneva). Canton dropped its record to 0-6 on the season.
14 different players registered at least one point as the Pioneers earned their most lopsided victory of the season.
Alex Finnegan (Bay Shore, NY/Islip),
Ryan Desveaux (Bowmanville, ONT/St. Stephen Catholic) and
Zack Stevenson (Elbridge, NY/Jordan-Elbridge) each registered two goals while
Codey Staulters (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa),
Jeff Pierce (Clinton, NY/Clinton), and
Brickman House (Oneida, WI/Pulaski) added one goal and one assist a piece for the Pioneers.
Brickman House (Oneida, WI/Pulaski) caused a team-high four turnovers, while
Tom Byrne (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) added a team-best six ground balls to go along with three caused turnovers for the Pioneer defense. Senior
Andrew DiOrio (Greenlawn, NY/CW Post), sophomore
Parker Smith (Dexter, NY/General Brown) and sophomore
Kobi Johnson (Akwesasne/Salmon River ) combined for eight saves between the pipes for UC.
Patrick Dickson (West Palm Beach, FL/Cardinal Newman),
Mitch Sobilo (Hamburg, NY/Hamburg) and
Brandon Tracz (Oswego, NY/Oswego) each registered their first collegiate goal in the Pioneer victory.
Liam Wheatley (Rochester, NY/Webster Schroeder),
Patrick Mulligan (Commack, NY/Commack),
Sean Flanagan (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), and
Nick Yelich (Lancaster, NY/Depew) all chipped in with one assist for Utica.
UC outshot the Kangaroos 55-20 on the afternoon and also earned a 41-23 advantage in the ground ball category. The stingy UC defense, which has allowed four goals or less in four of their last five games, caused 32 turnovers on the afternoon.
The Pioneers opened up an 8-0 lead in the first 30 minutes of action behind three goals from Miller, two goals from Stevenson and one each from Tracz, Desveauz and Finnegan. Stevenson now leads the team with 14 goals this season.
Utica did not slow down and netted the first four goals of the second half to take a 12-0 lead after three full quarters of action.
Canton was able to pick up three goals in the fourth quarter, two of which came from Ryan Cardiff, but the late offense was not enough to revive the Roos from their early deficit as the Pioneers earned the convincing 13 goal victory.
Canton goalie Corey Spuck led the visitors with 18 saves in between the pipes.
Throughout the game UC was able to collect $250 in donations and all proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society for cancer research.
The Pioneers are currently 1-0 in Empire 8 Conference action and will return to conference play on Wednesday when they travel to Nazareth College to take on the Golden Flyers at 4 p.m
