Pioneers Hang On For 12-10 Win Over Oswego

Pioneers Hang On For 12-10 Win Over Oswego

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Utica, NY – The Utica College women’s lacrosse team outscored visiting Oswego State 7-4 in the first 30 minutes and despite allowing three goals in the final 4:30 of play, the Pioneers were able to hang on for a 12-10 victory over the Lakers in non-conference play at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium Wednesday afternoon.  Senior Katlyn Banker extended her team-lead to 19 goals on the year after recording a five goal performance, while freshman Morgan Dupont carded a career-day, tallying two goal and two assists to help Utica improve to 3-2 overall. 

The Lakers fell to 1-2 on the year and they were led by Erin Cummings’ four goals and one assist.  The Pioneers close out a three game home stand on Saturday when they open up Empire 8 Conference play against Hartwick College at 3 p.m.

Megan Kane and Maria Santucci each added two goals for the Pioneers, while Banker also chipped in with two assists.  Freshman Samantha Gebler recorded one goal and one assist and Kane added a career-high five caused turnovers and four ground balls. 

Banker and Gebler connected on the Pioneers’ first two goals of the contest to give UC a quick 2-0 lead in the first 7:29 of the contest.  Gebler assisted on Banker’s first goal, before the pair swapped roles to give the home team a 2-0 advantage. 

Oswego was able to answer by the midway point of the first half to know the score at 2-2. Banker came right back with her 15th goal fo the year at 11:53 to give UC a one goal advantage, 3-2.  Oswego knotted the score at 3-3 before the Pioneers exploded for three straight in a span of less than seven minutes to give Utica a 6-3 lead.  Santucci, Kane and Banker each scored to give the Pioneers a three goal cushion.

Each team exchanged blows before the half to make the score 7-4 at the intermission.

Utica and Oswego each scored three goals over the course of the first 23:32 of the second half and the Pioneers were able to manage a 10-7 lead with 6:28 left in regulation.  That’s when Dupont tacked on two goals in just 40 seconds to give the home squad a nice five goal advantage with exactly five minutes left. 

Oswego made a late charge, as Cummings netted two straight goals, just 19 seconds apart, before Kasey Kuzma scored her second of the year to close out the scoring on the day. 

Utica freshman Patricia Kane picked up a career-high five ground balls on the afternoon and she also caused two turnovers, while Meghan Olesen won three draw controls and added three caused turnovers.

Ashlee Engel made nine saves and caused three turnovers in net for the Lakers, while Liz Conrad picked up a game-high six ground balls.