Big 3rd Quarter Lifts Pioneers to Victory in Home Opener

The Alfred State lacrosse team outscored Wells 6-1 in the 3rd quarter as the Pioneers defeated the Express 11-8 in the home opener. The Pioneers are now 1-1 on the year.

The Express opened the scoring with Alex Milliken goal with 8:29 remaining in the 1st quarter. Joe Johnson (Churchville Chili) tied it just over a minute later and then gave the Pioneers their first lead with two seconds left in the opening stanza. Brady Hoose scored the lone goal of the 2nd quarter for Wells and sent the game into halftime tied at 2-2.

Aaron Buck (Churchville) scored three goals and passed out two assists to lead the Pioneers 6 to 1 advantage in the 3rd quarter. Johnson had a goal and an assist while Alvarado scored the final goal of the quarter.

Alvarado made it 9-3 before Alex Milliken and Hoose scored to cut into the lead. Johnson and Dominic Arresta (Southhampton) answered the Wells goals as the Pioneers led 11-5 with 3:48 remaining. Hoose, Brian Buttner, and Milliken scored in the final minutes to make the game interesting but the Express could not get any closer.

Johnson led the Pioneers with five goals and an assist while Buck three goals and three assists. Branden Dickson (Bath) passed out four assists while Alvarado had two goals. Tanner Morrow (Grand Island) was dominant on the faceoff circle winning 20 of 22 draws and collecting 12 ground balls. 

Hoose led the Express with four goals and an assist while Milliken recorded a hat trick.

The Pioneers held a 49 to 39 shot advantage and picked up 43 ground balls compared to 26 for Wells. The Pioneers were 2 for 6 with the extra man.

In net, Ryan Amidon (Fayetteville Manlius) made 17 saves to record to victory.

The Pioneers are back in action on Saturday when they head to Hiram (OH) for a 2 p.m. opening face-off.