HOBOKEN, NJ – Stevens Institute of Technology outscored visiting Utica College 5-1 in the second half to earn an 8-4 victory in Empire 8 Conference action on Wednesday afternoon.  The score was knotted at 3-3 at the half until Stevens rattled off four consecutive goals over the course of the first 16:50 of the second half to pull away from the Pioneers. 

Utica goalie Andrew DiOrio (Greenlawn, NY/CW Post) stopped a career-high 23 shots and he also picked up three ground balls to help the Pioneers keep the contest close. Liam Wheatley (Rochester, NY/Webster Schroeder) netted one goal and added one assist to lead the way for the UC offense. 

Utica fell into an early 2-0 hole but fought back and tied the score at 2-2 early in the second quarter.  Wheatley netted the Pioneers first goal of the contest and Nick Yelich (Lancaster, NY/Depew) added his third goal of the season at the 11:43 mark of the second quarter to tie the score at 2-2.  Codey Staulters (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa) assisted on Yelich's goal.

The two teams exchanged goals before the half to make the score 3-3 after 30 full minutes of action.  Utica's Ryan Desveaux (Bowmanville, ONT/St. Stephen Catholic) registered his 13^th goal of the season with 6:25 left in the first half to account for the Pioneers third goal of the contest. Wheatley was credited with the assist on the final goal of the first half.

Stevens then outscored UC 2-0 in the third quarter and 3-1 in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.  Utica senior Zack Stevenson (Elbridge, NY/Jordan-Elbridge) netted his team-best 17^th goal of the season with 6:01 left in the contest to make the score 7-4, but it proved to be too late as the Ducks added a late tally and earned the four goal victory.

Utica's Tom Byrne (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) was stellar on defense once again as he registered a game-high seven ground balls and he also caused three turnovers. Alex Finnegan (Bay Shore, NY/Islip) added three ground balls and Matt Werkmeister (Chaska, MN/Chaska) chipped in with two caused turnovers for the Pioneers.

Connor McKeon, Michael Maroon, Andrew Scrutchfield and Connor O'Shea each registered one goal and one assist for Stevens (8-5, 4-1 Empire 8).

Utica (6-7, 1-4 Empire) looks to snap a five game slide on Saturday when the Pioneers travel to Elmira to take on the Soaring Eagles at 3 p.m.