Utica Wins in OT; Hartwick Rallies; Stevens, Nazareth and Houghton Win Big
UTICA v ST. JOHN FISHER
The Utica College men’s lacrosse team defeated visiting St. John Fisher College 10-9 in double overtime Saturday to secure the Pioneers first Empire 8 Conference tournament berth in the history of the program. Senior tri-captain Ben Winkler netted the game-winner just 44 seconds into the second overtime to lift the Pioneers to the thrilling one goal victory at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.
The Pioneers, who also secured a new school-record for wins in a single season with nine, will now advance to the Empire 8 Conference Tournament semifinal game on Wednesday, when they will travel to top-seeded Nazareth College to take on the Golden Flyers at 4 p.m.
“It feels great, an opportunity for our team and our program to make it to the Empire 8 Tournament for the first time. It’s a win by all of our team and all of our alumni – it’s just amazing,” said eighth year Head Coach Mike Parnell. “Our guys work hard all year and I’m extremely proud. We grinded all day and we got the win in the end when we needed it.
HARTWICK v ALFRED
Three goals in the final three and a half minutes handed Hartwick men's lacrosse a furious 11-9 come-from-behind victory over Alfred in the Hawks' season finale Saturday at Wright Stadium. The game featured three lead changes and a total of seven tie scores.
'Wick trailed 9-8 with under four minutes left before junior MIke Vaglica netted his third goal of the game to tie the score. Junior Zach Gropper put Hartwick in front to stay with 1:14 on the clock as he tallied his ninth goal in the Hawks' last two games, and senior Harry Hughes finished off the scoring with 19 ticks remaining to ice it.
STEVENS v ITHACA
The Stevens Institute of Technology men's lacrosse team clinched the second seed in the upcoming Empire 8 Conference Championship with a convincing 11-4 victory over Ithaca College on Senior Day at the De Baun Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon.
The Ducks jumped out early with two goals just nine seconds apart and never trailed in the game.
NAZARETH v ELMIRA
Host Nazareth dominated Elmira in an Empire 8 Conference men's lacrosse game Saturday as the Golden Flyers opened a 5-1 first-quarter lead and went on to a 19-7 triumph over the Soaring Eagles at Golden Flyer Stadium.
The game was the final regular-season game for both teams. Nazareth finished unbeaten in conference play at 7-0 and improved to 12-4 overall with its sixth win in a row. Elmira finished 1-12 overall and 0-7 in the E8.
For Nazareth Saturday, the freshman attack tandem of
Troy Haefele and
Luke Wooters each had four goals in a game in which 12 different players scored. Nazareth unleashed a whopping 72 shots and Elmira goalie Dave Bucchino played well in making 29 saves.
HOUGHTON v BRYN ATHYN
After the seniors were honored, this year’s version of the Houghton men’s lacrosse team took the field together one last time, ending its first season on a high note with a 14-4 victory over the Bryn Athyn Lions.
Highlanders controlled the game early by accounting for every goal and assist made in the first quarter, pushing Houghton ahead 6-1. Houghton continued to keep the Lions at bay, leading 10-3 at the half and allowed the visitors only one goal in the second half. The Highlanders had the last four goals of the game, resulting in the final score.
Houghton held a 42-28 advantage in groundballs, won 14 of the 20 face-offs, and had nine more shots on goal.
Houghton finished its first lacrosse season in school history with a 4-8 overall record, including a 3-2 record on Burke Field.