Hoboken, NJ – The Utica College men's lacrosse team traveled for a matchup with Stevens to begin Empire 8 Conference play on Saturday. UC fell to the defending conference champions, 23-4, on the road.
 
The Pioneers are now 4-4 overall and 0-1 in E8 play after the loss. John Hanlon (Coconut Creek, FL/St. John Paul Academy) finished with three points in the contest, on one goal and two assists. John Avery (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford-Mendon) put two past the Ducks' goalkeeper, while Craig DiSanto (Montebello, NY/Suffern) also registered a goal. Pat Kiernan (Mattapoisett, MA/Old Rochester Regional) contributed one assist in the first conference game of the year for Utica.
 
Ryan Boshart (Fayetteville, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) started in net for UC, making seven saves before a switch was made. Harrison Bower (Northport, NY/Kings Park) entered just before halftime and was able to make six stops, while Dylan Allen (Rome, NY/Holland Patent) recorded one save in his brief time between the pipes.
 
Stevens played like the reigning Empire 8 champions on Saturday, coming out strong to take a 15-1 advantage before halftime. John Avery (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford-Mendon) put Utica on the board midway through the second quarter, preventing a first half shutout. Avery and DiSanto both scored in a much improved third quarter for the Pioneers, but the deficit proved to be too large for a comeback. The Ducks cruised to a 19-goal victory, improving to 7-2 overall and 1-0 in the conference.
 
The Pioneers are back on the field Wednesday, as they return to Charles A. Gaetano Stadium to host Oswego State. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.