UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's lacrosse team fell to SUNY Oswego 8-3 on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Kevin O'Brien-Bruno (Goshen, NY/Don Bosco), John Spoto (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon), and Gianpaul Cooper (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) all found the back of the net for the Pioneers and recorded one point each in the contest. Nolan Shea (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) recorded the lone Pioneer assist. Both Spoto and Shea have now recorded at least one point in four-straight games and in seven of eight games this season.
 
The Pioneers had a balanced offensive attack with five players recording at least three shots. Ethan Brown (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks) played tremendous on defense, scooping up seven ground balls and forcing three turnovers. Chase Rorick (Honeoye Falls, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima), Nolan Shea (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union), and Josh Bennett (Watervliet, NY/Shaker) each recorded three ground balls and were bringing their physical play all game.
 
In net, Patrick Oswald (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) recorded 15 saves and made a few fine stops during the match.
 
The Lakers outshot Utica 46-26, yet the ground ball battle was intense as Oswego scooped up 27 to Utica's 26. 
 
Utica struck first to gain a 1-0 lead as John Spoto (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon) netted a pretty goal dished by Nolan Shea (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union). Oswego scored the equalizer late in the first period and tacked on another in the second quarter 
for a 2-1 halftime lead. 
 
The Lakers scored three straight goals in the third quarter to jump out to a 5-1 advantage entering the final quarter of play. Utica rallied to score two of the next three goals as Cooper and O'Brien-Bruno found the back of the net to make it a 6-3 game with 11:39 remaining. The Pioneers continued to fight yet Oswego capitalized on two man up goals to win 8-3.
 
Utica (3-5, 0-0 Empire 8) will host Wilkes University on Saturday, March 25 at 1 p.m. to conclude its five game homestand.