UTICA, NY -- The Utica College men's lacrosse team fell to cross-town foe SUNY Poly on Sunday afternoon, despite leading early on.

UC owned a 4-0 lead after the first quarter, as Dylan Dunham (Elbridge, NY/Jordan Elbridge) posted his second hat trick of the season. Dunham's first tally came on the man up advantage at 11:17 and was assisted by Jared Smaldon (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy). His two other tallies were unassisted and even strength. Dale Wagner (Elbridge, NY/Jordan Elbridge) posted his first goal of the game in the stanza as well, with his unassisted score coming in the seventh minute of the contest.

The Wildcats posted a goal nearly three minutes into the second quarter to begin their eventual comeback. After a tough turnover in the defensive zone, the Pioneers were forced to call a timeout in order to regroup at 9:20, followed by a break called by the visitors 19 seconds later under the same circumstances. 

SUNY Poly would find the back of the goal twice more before the period expired, bringing itself within a goal. 

Coming out of half time it took nearly 10 minutes for anybody to make the board, as another goal came off the stick of the bad guys at 5:11 to knot the game at four. Utica regained the lead with 3:50 remaining as Wagner posted his second goal of the day, helped along by John Avery (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford-Mendon). 

Poly was able to score again at 2:18 to tie the game for a second time in the third quarter. With one second remaining on the clock, UC goalie Jozef Korpics (Center Valley, PA/Moravian Academy) was dealt a one-minute unsportsmanlike penalty and Dylan Allen (Rome, NY/Holland Patent) was called upon to fill in.

30 seconds into the final stanza, the Wildcats were able to break the tie, benefiting on an empty crease as Allen was caught out of position on a clear-attempt turnover. Korpics returned to the game following the completion of his time, making a huge save at 12:28.

They then posted two goals to make it an 8-5 game with 7:07 remaining.  The Pioneers last tally came by way of James Daniele (Pleasantville, NY/Pleasantville) on the man down at 6:53.

Dunham led his team offensively, posting all three of his goals in the opening quarter, going 3-for-6 in on-goal shots. Wagner trailed close behind with two tallies of his own.

Tom Zegarelli (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) led the defensive efforts of UC, owning a team-best four caused turnovers, tying for second in ground balls with five. 

Both squad's goalies were outstanding in the crease, collecting 30 saves overall. For the Pioneers, Korpics made 14 saves in his second collegiate contest. 

Utica will return to action at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, as it travels to Hamilton for the 10th annual Contineer Cup.