Utica College defeated Oswego State 5-2 on Saturday in college ice hockey action at Oswego State's Romney Field House. The visiting Pioneers scored three goals in the third period to stave off a Laker comeback effort.

Oswego State opened the scoring with 13:17 remaining in the first period on a short-handed goal by C.J. Thompson, assisted by Ryan Woodward. Utica equalized 24 seconds later, during that same power play, and never trailed again. Bryce Dale had the power-play goal with assists going to Jared Allison and Joe Watson.

Utica scored the only goal of the second period. It was another power-play goal, as this time Josh Merson lit the lamp unassisted.

The Pioneers extended the lead to 3-1 on a goal by Steve Nutty with 18:39 left in the game. Oswego State answered and reduced the deficit to one goal as Tyler Laws scored on his own rebound. Merson and Kevin Krogol added goals for the Pioneers in the late stages of the third period to provide the final margin of victory.

Utica goalie Adam Dekker made 20 saves and earned the victory. Oswego State's Ryan Scott stopped 32 shots in a losing effort. The Pioneers improved to 2-1-0 on the season, while Oswego State is 1-1-0.

Oswego State faces another difficult home-and-home series this weekend, hosting Elmira College on Friday at 7 p.m., before making the trip down to the Southern Tier to take on the Soaring Eagles on Saturday.

BOXSCORE

TEAM   1 2 3 Final
Utica College (2-1-0) 1 1 3   5
Oswego State (1-1-0) 1 0 1   2

Utica College scoring: Josh Merson 2-0, Bryce Dale 1-0, Steve Nutty 1-0, Kevin Krogol 1-0, Colin Kingston 0-1, Joe Watson 0-1, Jared Allison 0-1, Doug Gebbe 0-1, Derek Gulizia 0-1, Tiger Marcotte 0-1. Saves: Adam Dekker 20.

Oswego State scoring: C.J. Thompson 1-0, Tyler Laws 1-0, Ryan Woodward 0-1, Derrell Levy 0-1, Bryan Gent 0-1. Saves: Ryan Scott 32.