Oswego Tops Utica in Non-Conference Action
Utica, NY (March 28, 2014) – Oswego State jumped out to a 9-1 lead in the first quarter and never looked back as the Lakers topped visiting Utica College 15-8 on the muddy grass at Laker Field on Friday afternoon. Junior
Christian Reiller (Salamanca, NY/Genesee CC) and sophomore
Corey Thompson (Akwesasne/Salmon River) each posted three goals for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers (4-4) have now lost two in a row headed into next Wednesday's Empire 8 Conference matchup against Nazareth College back at the friendly confines of Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The Pioneers are currently 4-0 on their home turf this season. With the win, Oswego improved to 4-2 on the year.
Oswego sprinted out to a 9-1 lead and never looked back. Utica was able to keep the Lakers off the board in the second period and cut the advantage to 9-5 at the half. That trend did not last long as Oswego scored just nine seconds into the third quarter and tallied three unanswered goals in the period. The two teams would play an even final quarter, with each squad notching three goals.
Reiller also added an assist to lead the way for Utica with four points. Reiller now leads the team with 23 points this season (14 goals, nine assists). Sophomore
Trent Jacobs (Akwesasne/Brewster Academy) added one goal in the contest, as did freshman
Ross Cree (Akwesasne/Salmon River ). Jacobs ranks second on the team with 21 points (15 goals, six assists), while Cree ranks third with 17 points (11 goals, six assists).
Cody Hoose led the Lakers on the afternoon, scoring a game-high four goals which also set a new career-mark for the junior. Torry Whitcher was next in the goals column, sending three past the Pioneer goaltenders while distributing an assist on another Lakers score.
Oswego's Nick Giampaolo had a consistent contest, putting up two tallies while passing out two helpers.
Oswego received a great outing between the pipes by freshman Wyatt Russo, who stopped 16 Utica attempts on the day.
Tom Byrne (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) had two caused turnovers and two ground balls for the Pioneers, while
Joe Schoen (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and
Adam Zielenski (Holland Patent, NY/Mohawk Valley CC) each added an assist. Senior goalie Cory Spizak got the start in net for Utica but was pulled after allowing nine first quarter goals.
Andrew DiOrio (Greenlawn, NY/CW Post) stopped nine shots in 45 minutes of relief work for the Pioneers, while allowing six goals.
David Craig (Brewerton, NY/Paul V. Moore),
Zack Stevenson (Elbridge, NY/Jordan-Elbridge) and
Sean Flanagan (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) each added a team-best three ground balls for the Pioneers.
The Lakers also held a distinct advantage on ground balls, outdoing Utica by nine (35-26).