UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's hockey team completed the weekend sweep of visiting Endicott College with a 5-1 victory in its final exhibition before regular season play at the Adirondack Bank Center on Sunday afternoon. Utica freshman Eric Holland (Whitby, ON/Brockville Braves (CCHL)) led the way with one goal and two assists, while sophomore's Conor Landrigan (New Tripoli, PA/Binghamton Jr. Sens (NAHL)) and Brett Everson (Mississauga, Ontario/Hawkesbury (CCHL)) each added one goal and one assist for the Pioneers. 

Utica goalie Gianluca Baggetta (Maple, Ontario/North York (OJHL)) played all 60 minutes for the second straight night and posted 24 saves in the win. Baggetta allowed just one goal in two games against the Gulls this weekend and he totaled 64 saves. The Pioneers also cruised to an 8-0 victory over Endicott on Saturday night. Endicott was an NCAA quarterfinalist in 2016-17 and has averaged 22 wins over the course of the last two years. 

Endicott struck first in Sunday's contest when Josh Bowes scored off a rebound 9:27 into the contest.  That would be the only goal the Pioneers would allow all weekend as they went on to score five unanswered in the four goal victory. 

Brett Everson (Mississauga, Ontario/Hawkesbury (CCHL)) got the Pioneers going on the power-play as he scored at the 13:50 mark of the first period to knot the score at 1-1. Everson's goal was assisted by Devin Warfield (Cary, NC/Carolina Eagles (USPHL)) and Joey Rutkowski (Rome, NY/Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL)). 

UC tacked on two more goals in the second period as Jarrod Fitzpatrick (Wakefield, MA/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) and Landrigan found the back of the net to give UC a 3-1 advantage. Fitzpatrick's goal was assisted by Liam Hunter (Norwood, ON/Kemptville 73's (CCHL)) and Josh Haskin (Troy, NY/P.A.L. Jr. Islanders (USPHL)), while Landrigan's tally was assisted by Holland and Daniel Fritz (Harwood, MD/Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey)). 

Utica put the game out of reach with two third period goals. Vaden McManus (Fayetteville, NC/Hampton Roads (USPHL)) scored just 1:13 into the third period to give the Pioneers a 4-1 lead and Holland netted his first goal in the blue and orange midway through the final period to cap the scoring on the day. 

Baggetta also made a key first period penalty shot save in net for the Pioneers to keep the score at 1-1.  

UC returns to the ice on Friday night when the Pioneers host national power Adrian College (Michigan) in the regular season opener at the Aud (7 p.m.). Utica will wrap up the weekend set against Adrian on Saturday at 5 p.m.


Connor O'Brien stopped 12 shots for the Gulls, while Elijah Harris made 20 saves in 40 minutes of action.