Utica Kicks Off Spring Break Play with Convincing Win Over Vassar
The Utica College men’s lacrosse team out shot visiting Vassar College 50-17 on the afternoon, and seven different Pioneers tallied at least two points, as UC topped the Brewers 16-4 in non-conference action at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium Wednesday. Freshman Trent Jacobs registered a career-high five points (three goals, two assists), while senior Ben Winkler also chipped in with five points of his own (two goals, three assists) to pace the Pioneers (3-1) to their fourth win over the Brewers in their last five meetings.
UC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first 12:09 of action and never looked back on its way to handing Vassar (3-4) its fourth loss of the young season.
The Brewers got on the board first in the second quarter to cut UC’s lead to 3-1, but that was as close as they would get, as the Pioneers rattled off four straight goals to close out the first half with a 7-1 lead.
UC outscored the visitors 4-2 in the third quarter and 5-1 in the final 15 minutes, including the game’s final four tallies, to earn the 12 goal victory.
Utica senior Justin Edelstein netted four goals, while Scott Baron, David Craig and TJ Benson each scored two of their own. Baron, Joe Schoen and Adam Zielenski each registered one helper, while junior Andrew Jamieson added one goal and one assist in the victory.
Sophomore defender Tom Byrne registered a career-high nine ground balls and eight caused turnovers, as Trey Adams and Andrew DiOrio combined for 10 saves in net for the Pioneers. Adams picked up four ground balls and DiOrio added three. David Craig chipped in with five ground balls and sophomore defender Sean Flannagan added three caused turnovers.
Winkler has now posted 12 points in his last two contests against Vassar, including six goals and one assist in the Pioneers 13-12 win over the Brewers on the road last season.
Noah Parson tallied a game-high two goals for the visitors and goalie Andrew Nichol stopped 17 shots and scooped up a team-best eight ground balls.
The Pioneers completed 20-of-23 clear opportunities on the afternoon and UC went 2-for-6 on man-up chances, while holding the visitors to an 0-for-10 effort with a man advantage.
The Brewers turned the ball over 36 times in the loss.
Utica returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Potsdam State for a non-conference bout at Gaetano (1 p.m.).