OSWEGO, NY - The No. 7 Utica College men's ice hockey team improved to 5-0 over nationally ranked opposition this season on Friday. The Pioneers bolted out to a 3-0 lead in the first 26:36 of the contest, then overcame a three goal comeback to win. Forward Conor Landrigan (New Tripoli, PA/Binghamton Jr. Sens (NAHL)) had a two goal night, and scored the game-winning goal with 1:52 left on the clock to propel the Pioneers to a 4-3 win at No. 15 Oswego State.

Utica improved to a record of 10-2-2, and are now 6-0-1 in non-conference play. The win was Utica's first over Oswego since their national semifinalist season in 2012-13.

Utica was outshot by the Lakers 32-24, but Gianluca Baggetta (Maple, Ontario/North York (OJHL)) turned in a 29 save performance to win a fourth straight decision, and a third straight since his return from injury.

Landrigan also continued a stellar run since his own return from the injured list with his two goal, one assist performance. He has two multi-point performances in his last three games. Brandon Osmundson (Chesapeake, VA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)) added two assists and has points in a third straight game. Kasper Kjellkvist (Vaxjo, Sweden/Curry College (Commonwealth Coast Conf.)) and Eric Holland (Whitby, ON/Brockville Braves (CCHL)) also added on goals for the Pioneers. Utica was 0/2 on the power play. 

The Pioneers grasped a 1-0 lead at the end of one period of play despite being outshot by a 10-6 count. Kjellkvist put the Pioneers ahead early as he quieted the crowd with his seventh goal of the season at 8:06. Baggetta blanked the Lakers with ten first period saves, and the Utica was in business with an early lead.

Landrigan didn't let an intermission stop him from hitting full stride, as he doubled down on the Utica lead with his third of the season. He scored just 55 seconds into the second period to place the Pioneers ahead by a 2-0 score. A 3-0 lead awaited at 6:36 as Eric Holland (Whitby, ON/Brockville Braves (CCHL)) puffed the net for the second time this season. Gianluca Baggetta (Maple, Ontario/North York (OJHL)) turned in a highlight of his own shortly after the Holland goal as he made a diving save on a two-man rush by the Lakers to maintain the advantage. A late second period goal by Oswego's Ryan Bunka kept the hosts within contact as the Pioneers led 3-1.

The Lakers struck twice more by the 8:56 mark of the third period to complete a three goal rally, but the win was still left on the table. That's where Landrigan came in. At 18:08 of the third, he scored his fourth of the season, and the Pioneers hung on to win by a 4-3 score.

The Pioneers return to conference play on Friday as they visit nationally-ranked Wilkes University.