UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's lacrosse team dropped a 15-8 decision against visiting St. John Fisher College in Empire 8 Conference action Wednesday night at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.  Utica's Alex Finnegan (Bay Shore, NY/Islip) tied his career-high with four goals while Matthew Miller (Geneva, NY/Geneva) also tied his career-high with five points on three goals and two assists.

Fisher jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the first half and never looked back as the Cardinals improved to 10-5 overall on the year and 5-2 in the Empire 8. Utica (7-8, 2-5 Empire 8) trailed 4-2 after one full quarter of action but the Cardinals outscored the home team 5-1 in the second quarter to extend its lead to 9-3 as the halftime horn sounded.

The Pioneers made it a 9-6 ball game by netting the first three goals of the second half but the Cardinals then rattled off six consecutive goals to take a commanding 16-5 lead with 5:44 remaining in the contest. 

Fisher's Matt Colicchia tallied four goals while Gary Bova added three goals and three assists to pace the Cardinals.

Utica's Patrick Mulligan (Commack, NY/Commack) netted a late goal for the Pioneers and he now has 14 on the season. Ryan Desveaux (Bowmanville, ONT/St. Stephen Catholic) and Liam Wheatley (Rochester, NY/Webster Schroeder) were each credited with one assist on the afternoon.

Fisher starting goalie Tanner Swan stopped five shots in net for the Cardinals.  Paul Cefalu added five ground balls and won 12-of-20 faceoffs. 

Utica's Tom Byrne (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) caused six turnovers and also scooped up a team-best eight ground balls. Matt Werkmeister (Chaska, MN/Chaska) and Sean Behan (Dewitt, NY/Jamesville-Dewitt) were each credited with two caused turnovers for UC.

The Pioneers return to action for senior day on Saturday when they host Houghton College for an Empire 8 contest at 1 p.m