Pioneers Ride by the Express

The Alfred State lacrosse team scored the first three goals of the game as they defeated Wells 12-4 in their home opener. The Pioneers outscored the Express 8-1 after the 1st quarter.

Nathan Crowley (West Irondequoit), Tyler Baker (Rome Free), and Eric Passeck (Thomaston, CT) scored in the opening 7:40 of the game to give the blue & gold the early lead. Padraic Iannello and Nathan Ramsey netted goals for the Express to cut the lead to 3-2. Joe Johnson (Churchville) scored with just under two minutes left in the quarter but Jared Shearer answered back to make it 4-3 after fifteen minutes.

Baker and Nic Covelli (Carmel) scored 21 seconds apart in the 2nd quarter to account for the only tallies as the Pioneers led 6-3 at the half.

The Pioneers killed off a 2-man shorthanded start to the 3rd quarter and added to their lead with goals by Baker (down a man) and a pair of goals by Passeck to expand their lead to 9-3 heading into the final quarter. Covelli scored twice and Cade Casey (Peru) scored his first of the season on an extra man opportunity to make it 12-3. Cash Lawson stopped the Pioneers 8-0 run with 1:53 left in the contest to cap the scoring.

Covelli led the Pioneers with three goals and two assists while Baker and Passeck both recorded hat tricks. Johnson had a goal and an assist while Crowley finished with a goal, nine ground balls, and 14 wins (14 out of 17) at the face-off circle. The Pioneers outshot Wells 60-17 in the contest. Matt Cobb (Churchville) made three saves to record the victory.

Ramsey and Iannello both finished with a goal and an assist while Trevor Stein made 17 saves in net.

The Pioneers are back in action on Wednesday when they host Cazenovia at 5 p.m.