OSWEGO, NY - Utica University's women's lacrosse team returned to action in a road matchup with Oswego State, the team's first game in a week and a half. The Laker team had a strong outing in just their second home game of the year, defeating the Pioneers 17-5. The loss moves the Pioneers to 2-2 on the season. Utica returns to action tomorrow, March 21st, against SUNY Morrisville in the orange and blue's first home game in a month. Opening draw is set for 12:00 pm at ABM Field at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.
The Pioneer offense was concentrated to three point scorers.
Alyssa Specchio (Chenango Forks, NY/Chenango Forks) scored twice and recorded Utica's only assist, joined by
Maria Stuhlman (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) with two goals, and
Bella Kolb (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) with one. Stuhlman tied two defenders,
Ella Jentsch (Rosendale, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) and
Ella Stanton (Macedon, NY/Palmyra-Macedon), for the team lead with two ground balls. Jenstch and Stuhlman joined
Alexis Alteri (Clinton, NY/Clinton) and
Sydney Rochefort (Massena, NY/Massena Central), each accounting for one of Utica's four caused turnovers. Senior
Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) led the team with three draw controls, followed by Specchio's two as the only other Pioneer to tally more than one. Junior netminder
Makayla Purdy (Shirley, NY/William Floyd) made nine saves in the outing.
Six separate Lakers scored in the contest, all of them more than once. Alexis Hill led the team with five goals, followed by Noelle Smith and Aubri Greene each completing a hit trick. Cassidy Croce, Kylire Fritton, and Milena Vassallo each pocketed two goals. Cecilia Witherel led the team with four assists, accounting for half of the team's eight, and was the only player with more than one. Alana Iacovissia made three saves on seven shots on goal in the first 45:00, before being relieved by Sophia Diaz in the final quarter, who saved all but one of four shots.
The hosts struck first in the outing, with Greene netting a free position shot after Oswego's offense controlled the first 1:40 of play. Some back-and-forth play next allowed for Oswego to add two free position goals, one by Hill with 8:06 remaining in the quarter and the other just 1:21 later into play, courtesy of Croce. Specchio struck back for Utica with 4:38 left in the frame, making a hard cut and driving from behind the net during a man-up situation. The orange and blue controlled much of the remaining time in the quarter, but neither team broke the 3-1 score.
The second quarter was again opened by an Oswego score, with Hill netting the team's first goal during live play. Dicks found Hill on a cut across the front of the net for the assist. With 9:16 remaining, Fritton caused a turnover on a Pioneer clear attempt, picking up the ground ball and cutting to the crease for a one-on-one with Utica's keeper, netting Oswego's fifth goal. Just over two minutes later, the Lakers extended the lead to five. After a saved shot that stayed in play behind the net, Hill picked up the loose ball, finding Smith on a cut towards the net for the tally. Vassallo pocketed the 7-1 goal for the home team with 4:33 remaining, attacking the closeout of the Utica defense and charging hard towards the goal. In the final seconds of the half, Fritton scored once again, scooping a contested ground ball and throwing a shot on net while spinning between Pioneer defenders. The teams entered halftime with Oswego State up 8-1.
1:28 into the third quarter, Smith continued the scoring run for Oswego, netting a goal off a cross-crase pass by Croce. Specchio scored her second of the game and ended the Lakers' run at six by delivering a free position shot past the Oswego netminder. Nearly six minutes into the quarter, the Lakers controlled the pace of play, with Greene spinning past her defender to net the home squad's 10th goal of the day. Hill completed her hat trick by scoring another free position shot, with seven minutes remaining. Stuhlman responded for the orange and blue with 5:34 left in the frame, finding space for a shot at the front of the crease following a pass by Specchio. Just 1:33 later, Stuhlman added her second, beating her defender to the outside edge for a shot attempt. With under two minutes left on the clock, Oswego took a timeout, drawing up a play in their offensive zone. Witherel held the ball with several Lakers making cuts across the netfront, eventually finding Croce for her second goal of the contest. Greene scored her third of the game to close out the third quarter, working with Fritton on a give-and-go play to get a shot just in front of the net. The goal with 0:44 remaining established a 13-4 Laker lead entering the final 15 minutes.
Hill scored her fourth of the game, and Oswego's 14th, 51 seconds into the fourth quarter, sending home a cross-crease pass by Witherel. The senior continued her strong day, netting a fifth goal with 10:44 remaining, coming off a pass by Croce. It took another 3:56 of play before Smith netted a goal for the home team, extending the lead despite a Pioneer man advantage. The Lakers made the lead 17-4 with 3:32 remaining, criss-crossing several players behind the net with Witherel passing to Vassallo on the inside for the goal. Kolb scored her goal with 1:35 remaining, taking advantage of a man-up situation and an awarded free position shot. The remaining clock ran without action, allowing Oswego State to close out a 17-5 victory.
The Pioneers will face a quick turnaround, playing again tomorrow, March 21st. Utica will host the SUNY Morrisville Mustangs at 12:00 pm at Gaetano Stadium. The game will honor the late Mike Parnell, a longtime member of Utica's men's lacrosse program.
