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Hartwick College Athletics

Kaiden Johnson, Sean McInnis & Joe Pagano
Brian Hogaboom
8
Winner Hartwick College HARTWICK 8-5, 6-1 Empire 8
7
Utica University UTICA 6-9, 3-5 Empire 8
Winner
Hartwick College HARTWICK
8-5, 6-1 Empire 8
8
Final
7
Utica University UTICA
6-9, 3-5 Empire 8
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 OT F
Hartwick College HARTWICK 4 2 1 0 1 8
Utica University UTICA 1 2 1 3 0 7

Game Recap: Men's Lacrosse |

Men's Lacrosse Grinds Out OT Triumph Over Pioneers

UTICA, N.Y. - The Hartwick Men's Lacrosse team clinched their spot in the 2025 Empire 8 Men's Lacrosse Championship Tournament, taking down the Utica Pioneers in an overtime thriller.

 

THE BASICS

  • Final Score:Hartwick 8 Utica 7

  • Location: Utica, N.Y.

  • Records: Hartwick (8-5, 6-2 Empire 8) Utica (6-9, 3-5 Empire 8)

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

  • The Hawks geared up for an important conference matchup against conference foe, the Utica Pioneers.  With a victory, the Hawks would secure themselves a home playoff game as either the third or fourth seed.

  • Hartwick lit up the scoreboard first as Tyler Nocito (Mahopac, N.Y.) was able to grab the ground ball off his first shot attempt and slipped it past the keeper for the score at the 11 minute mark.

  • Utica won the ensuing faceoff and pushed the ball down the field, knotting the game up at one, 40 seconds later.

  • Colin August (Garrison, N.Y.) continues his offensive tear, scoring his first goal of the day with Matthew LoCasto (Floral Park, N.Y.) grabbing the assist.

  • Wick struck again swiftly, taking the face-off and setting up the offense. Garrett Frost (Wading River, N.Y.) connected with Tararihwakohe Lazore (Hogansburg, N.Y.) for Lazore's first goal of the day as the Hawks took a two goal lead.

  • LoCasto closed out the first quarter with his first score with just under a minute left, taking a three goal lead into the second quarter as the Hawks looked to keep rolling.

  • The Pioneers were first to strike in the second quarter, finding their second goal with 12:44 left on the clock.

  • Ben Morenus (Homer, N.Y.) answered back with a goal of his own, taking the dish from Lazore and firing it home with 12:16 on the scoreboard.

  • Defense would be the name of the game throughout the contest as both teams found themselves in their lowest scoring affair of the season so far.

  • Utica was able to break the eight minute scoreless gap, cutting the Hawk lead down to two with four minutes left.

  • The squads continued to respond to each other's goals with pace, often answering back within the same minute as August knocked down his second goal of the day, 53 seconds later to close out the first half.

  • August secured his tenth hat-trick of the season, putting the Hawks up by four with Liam McManus (Skillman, N.J.) securing the assist.

  • Utica found their only goal with four minutes left in the third quarter as the defenses imposed their will on the offenses, letting up close to nothing.

  • The fourth quarter would be controlled by Utica as the Hawks struggled to get anything going, being held scoreless for the entire fourth quarter.

  • The Pioneers scored their first goal at the ten minute mark to pull within two, turnover woes began to plague the Hawks, allowing Utica to find another goal, taking advantage of a lost possession.

  • A penalty from the Hawks proved to be costly for the Royal Blue and White, leading to a man-up goal by the Pioneers to knot the game up at seven with two minutes to go.

  • Utica generated five shots in the final two minutes, the only one on target would be halted by Kaiden Johnson (Wakefield, Mass.). The Hawks generated two shots in the final minute from the stick of Garrett Frost but Frost was unable to beat the keeper, forcing overtime.

  • Garrett Frost would not be deterred in the extra period, taking the pass from LoCasto and firing a missile past the Pioneer keeper's net, sealing the victory for the Hawks in dramatic fashion.

  • The Hawks secured themselves a home playoff game with the win, Hartwick can secure the third seed with a win on Saturday and a Geneseo loss. If the Hawks lose or Geneseo picks up the win, Coach LaSala's squad will settle into the four spot, set to face off against the No.5 seed Brockport Golden Eagles on Tuesday, April 29, depending on Saturday's results.

    UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS

  • The Hawks will get back on the road for their regular season finale, matching up with the St. John Fisher Cardinals on Saturday, April 26 at 2PM.

     

    About Hartwick College:

    Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.

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