UTICA, N.Y. – Oswego Men's Lacrosse took a quick trip to Utica, N.Y. this evening to face off against the Utica University Pioneers in their 4th non-conference matchup of the season. Looking to continue their 2-game winning streak the Lakers came out ready to work. An eager start by Oswego would be matched almost instantly by the Pioneers, keeping the game tied for majority of the first quarter. Unsatisfied with their low-scoring efforts, the Lakers poured on the offense in the 2nd, heading into halftime leading the game 5-3. The early minutes of the third frame quickly turned into a back-and-forth battle, but Utica managed to tie the game up 5-5 with a few minutes remaining. Undeterred, a last-ditch offensive effort by Oswego would allow them to regain a 2-goal lead before the fourth quarter. A lockdown defensive performance by the Lakers, would keep Utica at bay and allow them to run away with a 9-6 win over the Pioneers in the final minutes of play.  

THE BASICS 
 
Final Score:  

Oswego 9 (3-2, 0-0 SUNYAC) 

Utica 6 (1-3, 0-0 Empire 8) 

 
Location: ABM Field at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium | Utica, N.Y. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

An opening faceoff win by Logan Prescott would be picked up by junior Colton Maher, sending the Lakers up the field for the first turn on offense. A handful of quick shots by an eager Oswego squad would just miss the mark until sophomore Emmett Starowizc notched the first tally of the game just 3:25 into the first quarter. Oswego would regain possession temporarily off the following faceoff, but would be turned over, giving Utica their first trip over the 50-yard line. A fast-break and shot by Aaron Bergquist would catch the Laker defensemen off guard, equalizing the score at the 10:54 mark. Pioneer midfielder Lucas Donahue followed Bergquist's initiative, extending Utica's lead to 2-1 two minutes later at 8:35. As the clock began to wither, the Pioneers would be charged with an offsides penalty, giving Oswego their first advantage of the game. While a man-up, Trey Jones capitalized on a failed clear attempt by Utica, improving the score to 2-2 heading into the second quarter.  

Unsatisfied with the tied scoreline after the 1st, both teams came out firing in the beginning minutes of the second. An unnecessary roughness penalty would send Gianpaul Cooper to the box giving Oswego another man-up opportunity. After a series of errant shots, junior attackman Hayden Coney would send a heater down the center of the zone past the stick of opposing netminder Patrick Oswald, securing a third goal for the Lakers at 13:10. Keeping the pressure on, a successful clear attempt by goaltender Seamus Hand would send Garret Elston up the field with a full head of steam. An offside pass would find the stick of Coney, one-touching it over the shoulder Oswald at the 7:56 mark. Now leading 4-2, the Lakers kept the pressure on, with Jason Dongelewic adding a 5th goal to the tally just 0:50 seconds later. The physicality ramped up towards the end of the quarter, as the stress of 3 unanswered goals began to weigh on the Pioneers, but a final offensive effort by Utica attacker Ryan Considine would improve the scoreline to 5-3 just before halftime.  

Despite a faceoff substitution for the Pioneers, the Lakers would continue to dominate, gaining offensive possession immediately. Oswego would not make good on any of their early shots but would not be deterred, earning yet another man-up advantage at 11:01. A few unsuccessful shot attempts by the Lakers would be picked up by Utica, turning play into back-and-forth battle for a series of minutes. Pioneers Ryan Hollenbeck and Landen Frey found a way to level the playing field 5-5, scoring two goals 0:39 seconds apart. Another solid clear attempt by the Laker defensemen would give senior Connor Aspinall some room to run, adding a sixth goal to the board with 2:09 left in the 3rd quarter. A last-ditch point collected by Emmett Starowizc would give his team a 2-goal lead before the final frame.  

Oswego and Utica would continue to trade penalties as the fourth quarter got underway, but neither would benefit from their man-up advantage. As play returned to even-strength, the Pioneers poured on the offense but a lockdown defensive effort by the Lakers made it difficult to generate quality shots on net. A quick up field transition by Oswego would allow them to execute on a short but effective turn in the Pioneers' zone, with Gavin Elston putting up an eighth goal at the 7:20 mark. Oswego's 3-goal lead wouldn't last long, as Utica responded promptly at 5:36. In the final minutes of play, Jason Dongelewic found the back of the net once more, securing a 9-6 win over the Utica University Pioneers.  

WHAT'S NEXT 

Oswego Men's Lacrosse will have a few days to recover before continuing their on-the-road campaign, heading to Farmingdale, N.Y. to face off against the Farmingdale State Rams this Saturday, March 22nd at 12:00PM. 

Written By: Matilda Pethrick 

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