UTICA, NY- The Utica College men's lacrosse team gets back to work on Saturday as it hosts SUNY Potsdam for the 2019 home opener.  Game time is 1 p.m.
 
Last Time Out: The Pioneers came away with a 13-12 win over the SUNY Poly Wildcats for their first win of the season last Saturday. Sophomore attack Dylan Dunham (Elbridge, NY/Jordan Elbridge) scored four goals and added one assist to help lead the way. Freshman attack John Avery (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford-Mendon) also was a big part of the scoring affair with a hat trick in the game. Senior John Hanlon (Coconut Creek, FL/St. John Paul Academy) had a team-high four assists, and sophomore Dale Wagner (Elbridge, NY/Jordan Elbridge) chipped in with two goals and two assists. 
 
Matching Up: The Pioneers are good when it comes to getting the ball out of their opponent's sticks. Utica has caused 26 turnovers in their first two games while having a clear percentage of .805 getting the ball out of the defensive zone.
 
Starting Hot: Dylan Dunham (Elbridge, NY/Jordan Elbridge) has started 2019 on a tear.  Dunham has racked up eight goals and two assists so far.  He totaled 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists) in 15 games last season and he is on pace to eclipse that total this year.
 
Ball Hawks: Freshman Kevin Parisi (Glenwood, NY/Vernon Township) leads the team with 12 ground balls and seven caused turnovers.  John Avery (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford-Mendon) ranks second on the squad with five caused turnovers, while Nick Alexander (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) is right behind him with four caused turnovers and he has also scooped up eight ground balls.   
 
In The Crease: Senior goaltender Harrison Bower (Northport, NY/Kings Park) has played in 24 games in his career for the Pioneers. In his career, he has turned away 189 shots with a save percentage of .493. He currently ranks eighth all-time in career saves at UC and needs just 14 more to move into sixth place all-time. 
 
Scouting SUNY Potsdam: The Bears have only played one game so far this season, dropping a non-conference contest to St. John Fisher on the road 23-8. Their game against the Pioneers will mark their second of three consecutive road games to start their season. Utica is 2-3 against Potsdam over the last five years.  The home team has won each of the last five match ups. Last year, Potsdam downed UC 14-4, but the Pioneers came away with a 14-11 win in 2017. 
 
Looking Forward: Following SUNY Potsdam, the Pioneers will play a makeup game against Hamilton College for the annual Contineer Cup. The game was originally slated for Wednesday, March 6 but will now be played on Monday, March 11 at 5 p.m.