CASTLETON, VT - The Utica University men's lacrosse team took down the Castleton University Spartans 8-6 on Saturday afternoon.
 
Sam Serrano (Stone Ridge, NY/Roundout Valley) led Utica with two goals and three assists along with four shots on goal. Ryan Considine (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) scored his first career hat trick and collected three ground balls. Noah Erickson (Auburn, NY/Auburn) scored twice and Kevin O'Brien-Bruno (Goshen, NY/Don Bosco) tallied one goal to cap off the scoring.
 
Patrick Oswald (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) played stout in net for Utica posting seven saves.
 
Defender, Ethan Brown (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks) used his size and skill to care of business on the defensive end, collecting four caused turnovers and four ground balls. Utica won the ground ball battle, 36-34.
 
Erickson tallied Utica's first goal 46 seconds into the first quarter as he dodged down the ally, giving Utica an early 1-0 lead. At 11:50, Serrano notched Utica's second goal on a man-up opportunity with a beautiful assist from Considine. With 10:16 on the clock, Ethan brown got his stick in the lane, deflecting a Castleton attackman's stick; O'Brien-Bruno collected the ground ball which turned into a successful clear.
 
Castleton would answer back with 5:55 left to play in the first as Hunter Sarro found the back of the net, cutting the lead to 2-1. Considine would score one more goal for Utica with 36 seconds left, notching his sixth goal of the season as Utica would head into the second quarter up 3-1.
 
Castleton scored the only two goals in the second quarter making it a 3-3 game entering halftime.
 
Utica and Castleton combined for five goals in the third quarter, three from Utica and two from Castleton. Serrano scored with 13:49 on the clock, giving the Pioneers a 4-3 lead. Five minutes later, the Spartans struck back evening the game at 4-4. Serrano struck again at 5:25 to play, and two minutes later, Erickson scored, extending Utica's lead to 6-4. Castleton would score one more goal to close out the third quarter, and Utica would head to the fourth quarter with a 6-5 lead.
 
Utica scored 57 seconds into the fourth quarter on a man-up opportunity. Serrano found Considine who notched his third goal of the game giving Utica a 7-5 lead. With 5:55 left, O'Brien-Bruno registered his first goal of the season along with four ground balls and three caused turnovers. The Pioneers would hang on and win 8-6.
 
Utica (2-3, 0-0 Empire 8) travels to SUNY Canton on Saturday, March 16 at 1 p.m.