UTICA, NY – The Utica University men's lacrosse team earned its first win of the season in dominant fashion, defeating Vermont State University Castleton 15-5 at Gaetano Stadium.
Ryan Considine (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) (6g, 4a) led the way with a game-high 10 points, while Quinn Orsini (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) (3g) and Nolan Shea (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) (1g, 2a) contributed multi-point performances. Lucas Donahue (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills Ballston Lake) (1g, 1a) and Ryan Hollenbeck (Baldwinsville, NY/Charles W. Baker) (1g) also found the back of the net. Utica's offense was well-distributed, with eight different players recording goals.
Patrick Oswald (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) started in net for the Pioneers, playing 45 minutes and making two saves. Jake Bowen (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) stepped in for the final 15 minutes, stopping three shots. Utica's defense controlled the pace of play, forcing 21 turnovers and scooping up 45 ground balls.
Utica wasted no time, striking first just five minutes into the game when Landen Frey (Accord, NY/Rondout Valley) buried a shot off a feed from Considine. Less than a minute later, Considine found the net himself, assisted by Noah Erickson (Auburn, NY/Auburn). The Pioneers continued to push the pace, as Shea and Orsini each tacked on goals in quick succession. With 3:28 left in the first, Considine netted his second of the quarter to give Utica a commanding 5-0 lead.
Castleton finally broke through in the second quarter with a goal at the 10:46 mark from Cam Frankenhoff. However, Utica responded immediately, as Donahue scored unassisted to restore the five-goal advantage. Hollenbeck followed up with a goal off a feed from Shea, and Considine completed his hat trick before halftime, giving the Pioneers an 8-1 lead at the break.
Orsini opened the third quarter with a goal just over a minute in, assisted by Considine. Castleton managed to cut the deficit to 9-2 after a goal from Liam Evarts, but Utica quickly answered. Orsini completed his hat trick on a man-up opportunity off another setup from Considine. After another Castleton goal, Considine struck once more with just seconds left in the quarter, pushing Utica's lead to 11-3.
The Pioneers continued their dominance in the fourth quarter. Considine tallied his sixth goal of the night at the 13:35 mark, and Werth followed with another Utica goal with just under three minutes to play. The Pioneers capitalized on two late man-up opportunities, with Considine and Gravino both finding the back of the net to close out the game. Castleton managed two goals in the final frame, but Utica's defense held strong, sealing the 15-5 win.
Utica (1-2, 0-0 Empire 8) returns to action on Tuesday, March 18 as the team takes on Oswego State. Opening faceoff from ABM Field at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium os set for 4pm.
