UTICA, NY- The Utica University men's lacrosse team picked up where it left off as it downed visiting SUNY Poly 8-4 in the 2022 season opener on Wednesday.  Utica has now won six of its last seven games dating back to last season.
 
Utica wasted little time getting things going as junior Gage Fiacco (Massena, NY/Massena) ripped a shot that tickled the twine just 1:16 into play.  Fiacco struck again just two minutes later with another unassisted tally and freshman Connor Costanza (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park ) netted his first collegiate goal at the 10:50 mark of the first quarter to give the Pioneers a 3-0 advantage.
 
SUNY Poly was finally able to get on the board at 7:17 thanks to a goal by Andrew Maycock, but sophomore Sam Serrano (Stone Ridge, NY/Roundout Valley) put in his first of three on the day to regain the three-goal cushion after one quarter of action. 
 
SUNY Poly scored the lone goal on the second quarter at 4:42 as Amelio Ripa put in an unassisted tally to bring SUNY within two at halftime.
 
Serrano and Fiacco each added tallies in the third quarter to give Utica a 6-2 lead and control of the game.  Serrano netted his third of the day and senior captain John Avery (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford-Mendon) also scored in the fourth quarter to seal the deal.
 
Serrano and Fiacco each finished with three goals on the day, while Costanza had a goal and two assists.
 
Sophomore Jon Goodspeed (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks) made 14 saves in his first collegiate start to earn the win.  His counterpart, Matthew Johnson, meanwhile had eight saves.  Senior Kevin Parisi (Glenwood, NJ/Vernon Township) led the Utica defense with seven ground balls and three caused turnovers. 
 
The Pioneers (1-0) remain home on Saturday as they welcome Medaille College.  Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.