ROCHESTER, NY - Utica University's men's lacrosse team traveled to NLPA Field in Rochester to take on the #1-seeded Nazareth University Golden Flyers. The Pioneers jumped ahead early, leading through the mid-second quarter, but flurries of goals by Nazareth through the middle quarters pushed the hosts to a 22-6 victory. The result concludes the 2026 Utica men's lacrosse season, one that will stand historic for the program's first postseason victory.
The orange and blues' goal scoring was split between five players.
Ryan Considine (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) was the only multi-goal Pioneer, while Ryan Hollenback was the only other multi-point player with one goal and one assist.
Danny Dunn (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool),
Lucas Donahue (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake), and
James Morris (Clayton, CA/Clayton Valley Charter) each scored once, while
Michael Reid (Tully, NY/Tully) and
Nolan Shea (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) recorded the team's other helpers.
Aaron Bergquist (Brewerton, NY/Central Square) was the only Pioneer with two caused turnovers, while Considine and
James McDonald (Porters Corners, NY/Albany Academy) tied for the team lead with four ground balls apiece. Five players appeared at the faceoff X for the visitors, going a combined 6-of-32.
Jake Bowen (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) manned the goal, making 22 saves.
The first quarter was the tightest of any frame, with the teams combining for just three goals. Nazareth had pressure, but it was the Pioneers who had greater success finding the back of the net. Hollenbeck opened the scoring off a feed from Reid before Rosenberger and Farrington combined on a goal to even the score. With 6:40 left in the frame, Hollenbeck assisted on a Considine man-up goal to take another lead.
The hosts struck back again to open the second quarter, establishing a 2-2 score with 11:49 remaining in the half. A minute and a half later, Donahue beat the keeper to take Utica's third lead of the game. With 8:18 left, Dunn finished a pass from Shea to give the orange and blue the game's first two-goal lead. The margin marked a change in the game, as after the Dunn goal, Utica was held scoreless until the fourth quarter. Within the remaining time in the half, Nazareth added four goals to enter the break with a 6-4 lead.
With the game in reach for both squads, Nazareth turned on the burners in the third quarter, outscoring the Pioneers 10-0. Utica was limited to just four total shot attempts in the frame, only one of which was on target. The first goal came 53 seconds in, before the second 4:17 in. The final nine goals were scored within 7:12 of play. The teams entered the final quarter with the Golden Flyers up 16-4.
The final quarter saw Nazareth continue their run, scoring the first four goals of the frame. Considine netted an unassisted goal with 7:59 remaining to stop the run. Just over a minute later, Nazareth struck back before Morris scored for Utica to continue trading goals. The final score of the game went the way of the hosts, completing a 22-6 final.
Matching the program's 2013 season, in which they made their first postseason appearance, the year comes to a close in a semifinal matchup with Nazareth. Be sure to follow Utica Athletics on social media and check uticapioneers.com for information on the 2027 season as it approaches!
