UTICA, NY- The Utica University men's lacrosse team is set to travel to nearby Hamilton College on March 7 at 5 p.m. before returning home for a matchup with Castleton University on March 11 at 2 p.m.
 
Follow Along: Hamilton will provide live stats and/or video via https://www.nsnsports.net/colleges/hamilton/. Those who cannot attend Saturday's home game can follow along with live video and/or stats at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/utica/#live.
 
Last Time Out: Sam Serrano (Stone Ridge, NY/Roundout Valley) led the way with two goals while Jonathan Chilinski (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) and Nolan Shea (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) each had one. Luke Rinaudo-Concess, John Spoto (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon), and Connor Costanza (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) all recorded one assist. Jake Bowen (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) continues to be terrific in net and was lights out today with nine saves and allowing just one goal. Kevin O'Brien-Bruno (Goshen, NY/Don Bosco) and Andrew Sacco (New Haven, CT/North Haven) led the team with three ground balls while five players had two.The teams were fighting for ground balls all game as Poly won the battle 20-18. Yet, the Pioneers outshot the Wildcats 31-27 and created plenty of scoring opportunities.The first quarter was very physical as the teams were battling for possession and the defenses were not allowing any open shooting lanes. After a few minutes of pressure, the teams were able to adjust and start firing off shots. After a Utica penalty, Poly scored on the extra man advantage to take a 1-0 edge at the 7:46 mark. Yet, Utica responded as Sam Serrano (Stone Ridge, NY/Roundout Valley) found the back of the net at the 7:09 mark of the first period off a nice feed from Luke Rinaudo-Concessi (Babylon, NY/West Babylon) to knot the game at 1-1.The teams each fired eight shots in the second quarter yet both goalies turned away the attempts. The game remained tied 1-1 entering halftime. The Pioneers came out firing in the third quarter outshooting the Wildcats 11-3 in the frame and possessed the ball in the attacking zone for long stints of time. Serrano fired off a shot at the 13:14 mark to give Utica its first lead of the game, 2-1. Connor Costanza (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) assisted the goal with a nice pass to set up the shot. The Pioneers took a 3-1 lead as Jonathan Chilinski (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) ran through multiple defenders to score at the 7:19 mark. The Utica offense remained hot in the fourth quarter as Nolan Shea (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) rifled in a goal off a feed from John Spoto (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon) to increase the Pioneer lead to 4-1 with 14:27 left to play. The goal continued Utica's Empire 8 leading success in extra man opportunities. The Pioneers held on for a 4-1 victory and its first win of the season.
 
Chase 'em Down: Chase Rorick (Honeoye Falls, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima) has been on a ground ball tear over the last three matchups totaling 11 along with five caused turnovers. His six ground balls against Oneonta were a career-high. Against Poly, he scooped up two ground balls with one caused turnover. Rorick sits in sixth place in the Empire 8 with five caused turnovers through three games. In 2022 against Hamilton, he scooped up one ground ball and one caused- turnover and versus Castelton he grabbed one ground ball. 
 
In Bowen we Trust: Brick wall Jake Bowen (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) has been heating up over the last three games leading the Conference in goals against average and save percentage, he also places 15th nationally in goals against average. He is surrendering only 6.04 per game and a posting .660 save percentage. He also ranks fourth in saves in the E8 with 31. Against Poly, after the first goal was scored with 7:46 in the first quarter, Bowen shut the Wildcats out the rest of the game, gobbling 9 saves through three quarters which allowed him to earn Empire 8 Goalie of the Week honors. 
 
Hot Start: Through three games Andrew Sacco (New Haven, CT/North Haven) has collected seven ground balls which is his most during a three-game span in his career. Against Poly he got the start at long-stick midfield for Zach Shaler (Utica, NY/Whitesboro) who was out with an injury. Sacco has four caused turnovers which is ninth best in the Empire 8 through three games. In 2022 against Castelton he recorded two ground balls. 
 
Scouting Hamilton: Hamilton is 0-1 entering Tuesday's matchup with the Pioneers after dropping their first matchup with Amherst College 15-10. Torben Wunderle totaled four points while scooping up seven ground balls. Tim Sommer, Justin Pearl, Thomas Healy, Jayme Wilde and Wunderle each scored goals of their own. Goalkeeper Seamus Fagan gobbled up 16 saves while surrendering 15. The Continentals will be without leading scorer Britt Defeo who recorded 22 goals and 14 assists in the 2022 season. Last meeting between these teams, Defeo totaled four points while 12 of 13 goals from the team were all assisted. The face-off battle was won 14 to 7 which ultimately set the game apart. Seasmus Fagan has been selected for the 2023 intercollegiate men's lacrosse NCAA Division III All-America team. He finished with a .632 save percentage and was a huge reason the Continentals led the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) in scoring defense with a 9.07 goals allowed per game. The last time the two squared off on March 8, 2022 Hamilton won 13-5. This will be the 23rd meeting between the two, Hamilton leads the series 21 to 1. 
 
Looking at Castleton: Castelton is 0-1 while dropping their first matchup against The University of St. Joseph (CT) 14-5. Before facing Utica, Castleton will play SUNY Delhi and Rivier University. Chris LaBonte led the team with two points followed by Xavier McKenna, Carter Frankenhoff and Ian Edgar who each notched one themselves. Goalkeeper, Christopher Dindino recorded 23 saves on 56 shots. The man-down unit held St. Joseph's to just 27 percent on man-up opportunities, going 3 for 11. The team will return their top four point producers Chris LaBonte, Sean Kimura, Casey Meczywor and Hunter Sarro. The Spartans will be without their top goalkeeper from last season, Chris Wilk who posted a .491 save percentage. Last season against the Pioneers he let up 14 goals on 17 saves and the Pioneers took the win 14-6. This will be the sixth matchup between these two, Utica leads the series 5-0. 

Up Next: Utica will host SUNY Canton in non-conference play at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 13.