Utica Tops Morrisville
Morrisville, NY (3/19/15)- The Utica College men's lacrosse team earned a 5-4 comeback win over Morrisville State in non-conference action Thursday afternoon. Junior
Patrick Mulligan (Commack, NY/Commack) led Utica with three points on two goals and one assist.
The Pioneers head into Empire 8 Conference play with a 3-2 overall record and holding a two-game winning streak. UC will return to action Saturday as it travels to Hartwick for its E8 opener. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
It was another low-scoring affair as Morrisville held just a 2-1 lead at halftime. The Pioneers fell down 2-0 early in the second quarter, however
Zack Stevenson (Elbridge, NY/Jordan-Elbridge) netted his fifth of the year with just over a minute remaining in the half to cut the deficit to one headed into halftime.
As has been the theme for the season, Utica came out strong in the third quarter as Mulligan netted his third and fourth goals of the year to give the Pioneers the 3-2 lead. UC has now outscored opponents 10-3 in the third frame this year.
The teams traded goals in the fourth quarter with each team finding the back of the net twice. Sophomore
Matthew Miller (Geneva, NY/Geneva) netted his team-leading seventh goal of the year, while
Liam Wheatley (Rochester, NY/Webster Schroeder) scored the eventual game-winner, assisted by Mulligan, with 5:58 remaining in the contest.
Wheatley also added one assist, and
Alex Finnegan (Bay Shore, NY/Islip) tallied a helper of his own. Stevenson was 8-for-13 in the faceoff circle and senior
Tom Byrne (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) picked up a game-high seven ground balls and caused five turnovers to lead the UC defense.
Andrew DiOrio (Greenlawn, NY/CW Post) made eight saves and allowed just three goals in net for the Pioneers, while Chris Fiore made 15 saves for Morrisville.
Utica now ranks second in the conference with just 6.40 goals against per game. The Pioneers have allowed four goals or less in each of their three wins this season.