UTICA, NY — The Utica College men's lacrosse team is back at Charles Gaetano Stadium on Saturday to host visiting and nationally-ranked No. 13 Stevens Institute of Technology. The Empire 8 Conference showdown in set for 1 p.m. The contest will also be the Pioneer's annual USILA/HEADstrong Cancer Awareness Game.
Current Record: The Pioneers have now won two in a row, including five of their last seven contests, headed into a key Empire 8 Conference stretch. Five of the Pioneers next six games are Empire 8 contests and will determine the top four seeds in the coveted E8 Tournament. Utica is now 5-4 on the season, and remains 2-0 atop the Empire 8 standings.
USILA/HEADstrong Cancer Awareness Game: The month of April in lacrosse indicates USILA/HEADstrong Foundation Cancer Awareness Month. NCAA lacrosse teams across the nation are ready to come together in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer. Lacrosse teams nationwide are asked to display their support on the playing field by pledging a game, raising funds and wearing HEADstrong awareness accessories in support of the cause. Lacrosse teams at every level will have the opportunity to pledge a game this month. Fans can donate at www.headstrong.org/donate.
Last Time Out: The Pioneers were on the road Wednesday as they defeated Alfred State by a score of 17-6 in non-conference action. Two first quarter goals from
Ryan Desveaux (Bowmanville, ONT/St. Stephen Catholic) gave the Pioneers an early cushion, ending the quarter up 5-1. The Pioneers of Alfred State fought back in the second quarter to bring the contest to within one goal, 5-4, but UC turned the switch and tallied nine goals in the third period to spark their second straight win. Desveaux led the Pioneers with four goals in the victory while
Tyler Giachinta (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane),
Jared Smaldon (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy),
Dylan Dunham (Elbridge, NY/Jordan Elbridge) and
Nick Yelich (Lancaster, NY/Depew) each added two goals.
John Hanlon (Coconut Creek, FL/St. John Paul Academy) had one goal, two assists and six ground balls.
Goals Galore: Desveaux has a team-high 26 goals to go along with one assist for a total of 27 points in his senior season. The senior currently ranks ninth in the Empire 8 in points per game (3.00) and leads the conference in goals per game (2.89). His 111 career points (90 goals, 21 assists) rank ninth on the College's all-time list. He is also just the fourth player in program history to reach the 90 goal mark. He needs 10 more goals to become just the fourth player in program-history to reach 100 career goals.
Boshart Protecting the Net: Junior goalie
Ryan Boshart (Fayetteville, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) has played 195 minutes this season and has a record of 3-0 between the pipes for the Pioneers. In the conference rankings, Boshart currently sits second in goals against average (6.15) and saves per game (12.60.) He also leads all goalies with a .744 save percentage.
Scouting Stevens: Stevens currently ranks 13th in the latest release of the USILA National rankings. They currently hold a record of 9-2 and are 2-0 in E8 action, tied with Utica and Alfred University for first place. The Ducks have scored at least 13 goals in each of their nine wins and currently lead the E8 in goals per game (15.45,) points per game (23.73,) assists per game (8.27,) and shots per game (43.18). With 51 points on the year, the Ducks are led by junior attack Max Bailey. Bailey ranks fifth nationally in assists per game (3.27). Senior Tommy Dawson ranks second in the Empire 8 in goals per game (2.73) and third in points per game (3.73.)
Last Year Against Stevens: In the last meeting between the Ducks and the Pioneers, the Duck came out victorious by the score of 21-7.
Jake Bratek (Syracuse, NY/Jamesville-Dewitt) led UC with three goals in the loss.
Looking Ahead: The Utica College men's lacrosse team will take another break from E8 play as they will host the visiting cross town rival SUNY Poly on Wednesday, April 11 at 4 p.m.
