Box Score UTICA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's lacrosse team defeated the Utica Pioneers 12-5 on Wednesday, April 8, at the Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. Ithaca improved its record to 9-3 on the season and 4-0 in the Empire 8, while Utica fell to 6-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

Utica stole an early lead, scoring at 12:47 in the first quarter. The Bombers responded back two minutes later on a shot by Sean Ferrito, assisted by James Manilla, to tie the game at 1. John Januszkiewicz then sent a pass to Jack Shumway, who put the ball in the back of Utica's net. Ithaca lead 2-1 with nine minutes left in the first quarter.

Utica tied the game, 2-2, with 6:15 left in the quarter. The Bombers countered to mark Januszkiewicz's first goal of the day, assisted by Shumway. Ferrito then extended Ithaca's lead with a goal, making the score 4-2 heading into the second quarter.

The Bombers held Utica to just one goal per quarter for the remainder of the game.

There were no score changes for the first 11 minutes of play in the second quarter.  Ithaca scored once at 3:51, on a shot from Januszkiewicz. Utica sent one past the Ithaca defense before entering halftime. The score read 5-3 in favor of the Bombers at the half.

Ithaca scored four times in the third quarter. Jack Shumway added two more goals, while freshman Kaelan Fitzpatrick and Manilla each registered goals for Ithaca. Utica would score once, making the score 9-4 heading into the final quarter.

The score remained unchanged for the first seven minutes of play in the fourth quarter, until the Bombers went on a three-goal rally. Jake Cotton recorded his first goal of the day, after converting on a feed from Manilla, with 8:08 left in the game. Shumway put away two more quick goals to increase Ithaca's lead 12-4. Cotton assisted the first goal and Manilla contributed on Shumway's final goal. 

The Pioneers scored once more before the end of the game, making the score 12-5 in favor of Ithaca.

The Bombers edged the Pioneers 33-18 in shots and 23 to 19 in groundballs. Ithaca controlled the game at the X, winning 14-of-21 face-offs.  Ithaca also earned a near-perfect clear percentage, successfully clearing 14-of-15 clear attempts.

Junior goalie Scott Sidnam made five saves in the win.

Shumway paced the Bombers with five goals and two assists, marking career highs in goals and points. Ferrito and Januszkiewicz each recorded two goals and an assist. Manilla logged three assists and a goal against the Pioneers. Cotton added a goal and an assist, while Fitzpatrick registered a goal and Walker had an assist.

Matt Greenblatt scooped a team-best six groundballs and Jimmy Ryan grabbed five. Eli Gobrecht led the Bombers with three caused turnovers and four groundballs against Utica.

The Bombers continue to compete in Empire 8 action against No. 19 Nazareth on Saturday, April 11. Ithaca faces-off against the Golden Flyers at noon in Rochester, N.Y.