ALFRED, NY – The Utica College men's lacrosse team lost to host Alfred University 19-10 in Empire 8 Conference action Sunday afternoon. Freshman stand out Dominic Castiglia (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) netted a career-high six goals and he now has 14 goals in his last three starts.  Utica's Brickman House (Oneida, WI/Pulaski) added two goals, while Alex Finnegan (Bay Shore, NY/Islip) and Matthew Miller (Geneva, NY/Geneva) each registered one goal and two assists.

The Pioneers record moved to 2-8 overall on the year and 1-2 in Empire 8 play.  Alfred improved to 8-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

Utica jumped out to an early 3-1 lead less than seven minutes into the game, and outscored the Saxons 4-3 in the first quarter. Castiglia netted two first quarter goals, while Finnegan and House wrapped up the first quarter scoring with a goal each. Utica was first to score in the second stanza as well, however the Saxons dominated play for the remainder of the half, scoring six consecutive goals to take a 9-5 lead into the intermission.

Once again, the Pioneers were first to draw blood in the third quarter, but the Saxons quickly turned the tides and scored five consecutive goals to increase the lead to 14-6. Castiglia scored twice prior to the end of the third quarter, bringing Utica within six heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter the Saxons pounded the offensive third of the field, scoring five more goals to the Pioneers' two, putting the game out of reach, 19-10.

AU outshot Utica 45-31 and put 31 shots on goal, compared to the Pioneers' 22. Additionally, the Saxons dominated possession on ground balls (43-30). 

Utica's Ryan Desveaux (Bowmanville, ONT/St. Stephen Catholic) recorded an assist for the Pioneers, while Rusty Dessert (Islip, NY/Islip) picked up four ground balls and added two caused turnovers.  Nick Finnegan (Bayshore, NY/Islip) also scooped up three ground balls for Utica and Tyler Nicolaus (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) added five ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Senior goalie Andrew DiOrio (Greenlawn, NY/Harborfields) stopped 12 shots in the net for the Pioneers. Alfred's Drew Gardner saw the bulk of the action in net for the Saxons and stopped nine shots.

UC returns home for the first of a two game home stand when the Pioneers host Nazareth College for an Empire 8 contest at 4 p.m.