UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's lacrosse team beat SUNY Canton 14-8 on Monday afternoon to collect its second straight victory and improve to 3-3 on the season.
 
Today Utica was firing on all cylinders as the team had season-highs in points (21), goals (14), shots (54), shots on goal (28), and ground balls (58). 
 
John Spoto (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon) led the way offensively with five points while scoring four goals and adding one assist. Connor Costanza (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) added two goals and one assist while Sam Serrano (Stone Ridge, NY/Roundout Valley) tallied three assists. 
 
Michael Mecca (Oceanside, NY/Oceanside) and Luke Rinaudo-Concessi (Babylon, NY/West Babylon) each scored twice while Gianpual Cooper scored his first collegiate goal and Caiden Frey (Accord, NY/Roundout Valley) found the back of the net once. Nolan Shea (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) and Jonathan Chilinski (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) each scored one goal and dished out one assist.
 
All three Pioneer goalies saw time in net with Patrick Oswald (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) seeing over 37 minutes of time while collecting five saves and the win. Jake Bowen (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) saw over 17 minutes of playing time and recorded one save. Owen Mix (Henrietta, NY/Rush Henrietta) closed out the game for Utica.
 
The game started off back and forth as Utica struck first and Canton quickly responded. The teams exchanged goals and it was 3-3 with 3:14 left in the first quarter. Utica's offense and defense started to click as the Pioneers scored six straight goals to open a 9-3 edge with just over one minute left in the half. Canton would score, yet Utica responded and took a 10-4 lead into the half.
 
At the 11:40 mark of the third quarter Michael Mecca (Oceanside, NY/Oceanside) took it upfield and scored on the man down to increase the lead to 11-4. The teams then exchanged the next seven goals with the Pioneers hanging on for a 14-8 victory.

Utica (3-3, 0-0 Empire 8) will host SUNY Brockport on Wednesday, March 15 at 3 p.m.