ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's lacrosse team returns to Empire 8 Conference action with a 1:00 p.m. bout against Utica College on Saturday, March 31. The contest will be played at the Pioneers' Charles A. Gaetano Stadium in Utica, New York.
LAST TIME OUT
The Soaring Eagles suffered a 14-2 setback to non-league foe Kean University on Wednesday, March 28, in Union, New Jersey. The Cougars came out blazing in the opening quarter, scoring seven times in the first 15 minutes. Elmira settled in for the remainder of the bout, as they allowed a combined seven goals over the final three quarters. Both of EC's tallies came in quick succession, as
Jake Zlinsky '21 scored first at the 8:46 mark of the second period and
Seth Amstein '19 struck next just nine seconds later.
Kevin DiMagno '20 continued his strong start to the year with an assist on Amstein's goal and a team-high five faceoff wins. Rookie
Jacob Mattice '21 started for Elmira in goal and made 14 saves, nine of which came in the second quarter. Mattice also paced the team in both ground balls (5) and caused turnovers (2).
FIRST OF THE YEAR
Amstein and Zlinsky's goals against Kean marked firsts for the two Soaring Eagles. Amstein, a junior from Milton, Vermont, scored his first tally of the season and the second of his career. Amstein's first-career goal came in his first-ever start against Neumann University in last season's opener on February 24, 2017. Zlinsky's goal, on the other hand, is the first for the rookie. The Owego, New York, native has played in all five games this season and started in two of them. In addition to his goal, Zlinsky has logged five ground balls and two caused turnovers.
SCOUTING UTICA
The Pioneers have experienced an up-and-down start to the 2018 campaign, as they own a 3-4 overall record. In Empire 8 play, Utica is 1-0 after defeating Houghton College, 15-9, on Saturday, March 24. That victory preceded a 15-7 setback against Oswego State in UC's most recent contest on Wednesday, March 28. The Pioneers have hung their hats this season on solid defense, as they rank first in the conference and ninth in the country in saves per game (15.7). Junior goalkeeper Harrison Bower leads the defense with 11.3 saves per game, which is second in the league to Mattice (13.5). On the other end of the field, senior Ryan Desveaux leads Utica with 20 goals this season, in addition to being third in the E8 in goals per game (2.9).
SERIES HISTORY
With a six-game win streak heading into Saturday's clash, the Pioneers' lead in the all-time series against Elmira has grown to 11-7. Last year, Utica topped EC, 20-7, in a heated bout on Campus Field on April 29, 2017. EC last bested the Pioneers in the 2011 campaign, when the Soaring Eagles earned an 11-7 triumph in the Southern Tier.
UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles return home for a conference bout against Nazareth College on Saturday, April 7, at nearby Notre Dame High School. The tilt, which is slated to start at 1:00 p.m., will stand as the team's United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA)/Headstrong Cancer Awareness Game.
