Utica Lacrosse is as hot as ever. For the first time ever, both the men’s and the women’s teams have qualified for the Empire 8 tournament. The men’s team has only made a post-season appearance once before back in 2013 while the women’s team has now made it eight years in a row.
The women’s team has had a consistent flow through the season, regularly picking up wins and never losing more than two games in a row. They got off to a hot closing to end the regular season. They’ve won three in a row out-scoring their opponents 49-14. Lead scorer Maria Stuhlman has found the net 14 times in those three games and is leading the conference in goals while standing second in points.
The special teams have been crucial for the Pioneers. Utica has the most woman-up goals of any team in the Empire 8 with 38, no other team has more than 20. Their penalty killing on the other hand has been about average, they sit right in the middle at fifth place in the conference. The Pioneers defense has been strong as well which helps to support their strong season goal margin. The Pioneers have Alexis Alteri, Maria Stuhlman and Ella Jentsch all averaging at least one caused turnover per game.
Currently the women have possession of the three seed, which sets them up well to host a first round game. As the three seed they would face off against the six seed who is currently the Nazareth Golden Flyers.
On the men’s side, they were a bit more inconsistent to end the year. Starting on March 18 the men lost five in a row, before turning around and winning five in a row. After the loss to the St. John Fisher Cardinals on April 1, Utica men’s lacrosse’s record was an ugly 1-7. With no hopes of the post-season, the team needed something to turn around.
Ryan Condisdine turned up the heat, tallying nine points in a win over Keuka. Another nine-point performance four days later, and the Pioneers knew something had changed. On the defensive side, Aaron Bergquist has been a key part of the team’s success as well. With over 40 ground balls, and only three games all year without at least one caused turnover, Bergquist has been crucial in giving the Pioneers possession and giving the team chances to score.
As it shapes up right now the men sit as the four seed which would set them up to host their first E8 playoff game ever. They would face the five seed which is currently a Hartwick team who has won five in a row.
The men’s and women’s last game of the regular season will come this Saturday at 1 p.m. against the three-seeded SUNY Geneseo. The men will head out to Geneseo to play the three-seeded Knights while the women will host the two-seed Geneseo.
