UTICA, NY - Utica University's men's lacrosse team is preparing to begin its 2026 season, welcoming SUNY Potsdam's team in both of the squads' first regular-season game of the year. The opening faceoff of the home opener is set for 4:00 pm at ABM Field at Gaetano Stadium.

Follow Along: The video stream for all Utica home events is available HERE. The live stats for all Utica men's lacrosse home games can be found HERE.

Last Season's Recap: Utica closed the 2025 campaign with a 6-10 overall record and a 3-6 mark in Empire 8 play, showing growth in conference competition. After early-season setbacks on the road, the Pioneers found momentum in March with a decisive 15-5 win over Castleton and a 14-9 victory over SUNY Canton in the Mike Parnell Game, before earning key conference wins over SUNY Morrisville (10-8), Keuka (21-6), SUNY Poly (10-9), and Russell Sage (12-9). Utica proved competitive throughout league play, dropping one-goal contests at SUNY Brockport (9-10) and Hartwick (7-8 OT), highlighting the program's continued push toward consistency in a challenging Empire 8 slate.

Utica's offense was anchored by Ryan Considine (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee), who led the team with 32 goals and 52 total points while firing a team-high 142 shots and adding 42 ground balls. Nolan Shea (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) complemented that production with 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points, while Noah Erickson (Auburn, NY/Auburn) (18G, 25PTS) and Lucas Donahue (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) (14G, 22PTS) added consistent scoring threats throughout the lineup. Ryan Hollenbeck (Baldwinsville, NY/Charles W. Baker) chipped in 19 goals, including two game-winners, giving the Pioneers multiple reliable options in the attacking third.

At the faceoff X, Cade Bourcy (Syracuse, NY/Skaneateles) handled the bulk of the draws, winning 110 faceoffs, while the team finished with 179 total faceoff victories. Defensively, Aaron Bergquist (Brewerton, NY/Central Square) (34 ground balls, 15 caused turnovers), Andrew Sacco (New Haven, CT/North Haven) (43 ground balls, 17 caused turnovers), and Michael Mecca (Oceanside, NY/Oceanside) (team-high 52 ground balls) were key tone-setters in the middle of the field. In goal, Patrick Oswald (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) logged nearly 829 minutes and made 151 saves, finishing the season with a .472 save percentage and a 12.23 goals allowed average.

The Road Ahead: Utica's 2026 slate features a balanced 15-game regular season with seven home contests and eight road matchups, beginning February 27 against SUNY Potsdam and Farmingdale State at ABM Field. The Pioneers then hit the road for early tests at Plattsburgh State and Oswego State before a non-conference trip to Misericordia. Empire 8 play intensifies late March through April, highlighted by key home matchups against SUNY Morrisville, St. John Fisher, SUNY Brockport, Russell Sage, and Alfred, while challenging road trips to Nazareth, Keuka, SUNY Poly, Hartwick, and SUNY Geneseo will shape the conference standings. With five of the final nine games at home, but closing the regular season with back-to-back road contests, consistency down the stretch will be critical as Utica looks to position itself for postseason play.

Coaches Column: Sean Behan enters his third season leading the Utica University men's lacrosse program in 2026, continuing to build momentum at his alma mater. A 2015 graduate and former four-year letter winner for the Pioneers, Behan has guided Utica to back-to-back six-win seasons since taking over in 2024, including a two-win improvement in Empire 8 play last spring. His return to Utica marked a full-circle moment after previous coaching stops at Medaille (head coach, 2021-23) and Skidmore (assistant coach, 2019-20), as well as an earlier stint on the Pioneer staff from 2016-18. As a student-athlete, Behan played in all 48 games of his career and helped lead the 2013 squad to a then-school-record nine victories and the program's first Empire 8 Tournament appearance. Assisting Coach Behan are Defensive Coordinator Matt Trimboli and recent Pioneer goaltender Pat Oswald.

Projected Prominent Pioneers: Among the returning standouts, Considine headlines the group after leading the Pioneers with 32 goals and 52 points last season, while also posting a team-high 142 shots and collecting 42 ground balls, establishing himself as Utica's primary offensive catalyst. Erickson added 18 goals and 25 points, providing steady secondary scoring and versatility within the attack. In the midfield, Cooper made his presence felt defensively with 23 caused turnovers and 23 ground balls, serving as a disruptive force in transition and on-ball defense. On the back end, Bergquist anchored the defensive unit with 34 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers, consistently setting the tone in the clearing game. Colin Musso (Auburn, NY/Auburn) contributed 27 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers of his own, reinforcing Utica's defensive identity and physical presence throughout the lineup.

Key Departures: Utica says goodbye to a sizable group from the 2025 roster, led by graduates Hayden Sachel (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley), Jake Beavers (Syracuse, NY/Solvay), Andrew Sacco (New Haven, CT/North Haven), Patrick Oswald (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park), Owen Mix (Henrietta, NY/Rush Henrietta), and Steven Queen (Huntington, NY/Huntington). The most significant statistical loss comes in goal, where Oswald logged 828 minutes and made 151 saves across 16 appearances, anchoring the defensive unit, while Mix provided experienced depth in the crease. At long-stick midfield, Sacco was one of the team's most productive defenders, totaling 43 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers, both among the team leaders.

First-Year Faces: Utica's newcomer class features a blend of proven collegiate production and decorated high school standouts poised to compete for immediate roles. Transfer attacker Ethan Hunt (Skaneateles, NY/Skaneateles) brings proven collegiate experience after totaling 30 goals and 21 assists across two seasons at Hartford, giving the Pioneers a ready-made offensive weapon. In the midfield, Nathan Reid (Tully, NY/Tully) (40G/55A/160GB in high school), Danny Dunn (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) (30G/15A as a senior), Elijah Lowder (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) (2025 MVP, First Team TVL), Mason Little (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) (two-time Section II Class A Champion), and an All-Conference First Team lacrosse selection in 2025 who also earned All-Conference Second Team honors in football and the Tommy Rieben Award at Whitesboro, all arrive with strong scoring resumes, multi-sport toughness, and leadership experience. Jason Torres (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) adds depth at the faceoff X after earning PA District 11 Second Team recognition, strengthening a critical possession position.

Defensively, Ethan Ayotte (Waterford, NY/La Salle Institute), James McDonald (Porters Corners, NY/Albany Academy), and Colin Coleman (Utica, NY/Whitesboro) provide size and versatility to the back end, adding depth at close defense and long-stick midfield. In goal, Jack Rawleigh (Rochester, NY/McQuaid Jesuit), a NYSPHSAA Class A State Champion and Section V All-Tournament selection, joins Brendan Griffey (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West), who brings Section VI Class B First Team honors, 2025 Team MVP recognition, and 451 career saves in high school. Together, Rawleigh and Griffey headline the competition to replace the graduated senior goalie tandem. With contributions expected across attack, midfield, defense, faceoff, and goalie, this 11-player class injects athleticism, championship pedigree, and competitive depth throughout the roster entering 2026.

Prepping for Potsdam: SUNY Potsdam finished the 2025 season with an 8-7 overall record and a 4-3 mark in SUNYAC play, advancing to the conference semifinals. The Bears opened the year with an 18-3 win over Utica and picked up non-conference victories over Lebanon Valley (16-4) and Albright (21-9) before earning league wins against Morrisville (14-7), Plattsburgh (8-5), and New Paltz (18-7). Potsdam proved competitive throughout the spring, dropping a one-goal overtime decision to Brockport (10-11 OT) and a narrow 16-17 contest against Oneonta, while facing two late-season matchups against nationally-ranked Cortland, including the SUNYAC semifinal.

Offensively, the Bears averaged 12.6 goals per game and were led by Cobie Cree (29G, 25A, 54PTS) and Owen Walsh (34G, 48PTS), with Drew Rose (18G, 31PTS) and Billy Kozloski (24G, 27PTS) adding additional scoring punch. Ryan Hughes chipped in 25 points, while Kyan Combs added 17. At the faceoff X, Drew Costello was dominant, winning 232 draws and helping Potsdam to a .613 team faceoff percentage. Additionally, Costello pulled in 133 ground balls, just under 100 more than his next-highest teammate. In goal, Saka Thompson (99 saves, 10.53 GAA) and Liam O'Neil (86 saves, 10.91 GAA) split time, anchoring a defense that allowed an average of 10.55 goals per game.

Up Next: The Pioneers won't have to wait long for their return to Gaetano Stadium, as the squad will host Farmingdale State College on Tuesday, March 3rd. Opening faceoff is set for 4:00 pm.