UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's lacrosse team beat Wilkes University 9-6 on Saturday afternoon to snap a two-game losing skid.
 
Utica exploded with a five goal third quarter to take command in a very much back and forth contest. The teams were extremely even as they both had 39 shots, while Utica had one more turnover, and Wilkes won 10 face offs compared to Utica's nine.
 
Nolan Shea (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) led the Pioneers with four points scoring two goals and tallying two assists. Sam Serrano (Stone Ridge, NY/Roundout Valley) scored twice and dished out one assist while John Spoto (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon) continued to be the team's top scorer with two more goals this afternoon. 
 
Michael Mecca (Oceanside, NY/Oceanside), Caiden Frey (Accord, NY/Roundout Valley), and Kevin O'Brien-Bruno (Goshen, NY/Don Bosco) each scored one goal. Connor Costanza (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) dished out a beautiful assist to Sam Serrano (Stone Ridge, NY/Roundout Valley). 
 
In net, Patrick Oswald (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) made 16 saves and picked up his third win of the season.
 
The first period featured the team's both being very aggressive each tallying 11 shots in the frame. Caiden Frey (Accord, NY/Roundout Valley) scored off a dish from Nolan Shea (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) to give Utica a 1-0 lead at the 8:12 mark of the period. Less than a minute later, Wilkes tied the contest at 1-1. 
 
After the Wilkes goalie took the clear himself and ripped a shot, the Pioneers quickly sent the ball down the field and Sam Serrano (Stone Ridge, NY/Roundout Valley) found the back of the net. In the waning minutes of the first, the Colonels tied the match at 2-2 and that would remain the score at the end of the first quarter.
 
To begin the second frame the teams remained aggressive. Utica pushed up field and a beautiful spinning goal by Nolan Shea (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) gave the Pioneers a 3-2 edge with 13:16 remaining in the second frame. Wilkes took advantage of a Utica turnover and quickly switched fields to even the game at 3-3 at the 9:36 mark.
 
The Colonels struck again at the 8:42 mark to score its second goal in just over one minute and take a 4-3 lead into the half.
 
The Pioneers took advantage of a fast break and John Spoto (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon) scored a close-range goal off a beautiful feed from Sam Serrano (Stone Ridge, NY/Roundout Valley) to tie the game at 4-4 with 10:33 left in the third quarter. Yet, Wilkes responded again and quickly ran down the field off a failed clear and took a 5-4 advantage with 9:07 remaining in the third frame. But Utica responded and Michael Mecca (Oceanside, NY/Oceanside) scored a beautiful backhanded goal to even the score at 5-5 with 8:02 left in the third. 
 
Less than 30 seconds later, Spoto found the back of the net and Utica reclaimed the lead 6-5. The back and forth scoring continued and Wilkes knotted the score 6-6 at the 6:26 mark. Nolan Shea (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) made a nifty move to open shooting lane and score while just moments later Sam Serrano (Stone Ridge, NY/Roundout Valley) scored to give the Pioneers an 8-6 after three quarters of play.
 
The first half of the fourth quarter saw the teams tighten up on defense and the goaltenders make some fine saves. Kevin O'Brien-Bruno (Goshen, NY/Don Bosco) got himself wide open and netted the ninth Pioneer goal of the afternoon to increase the lead to three with less than nine minutes to play. Utica held on to win the game 9-6.
 
Utica (4-5, 0-0 Empire 8) will hit the road to face the University of Scranton on Wednesday, March 29 at 4 p.m.