Big 2nd Half Lifts Pioneers Past La Roche

The Alfred State lacrosse team won their second straight and improved to 5-6 on the year with a 9-4 victory at La Roche on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers outscored the Redhawks 6-0 in the 2nd half.

The Redhawks score the first two goals of the game before AJ Soto (Churchville) tied it up with a pair of goals late in the 1st quarter. He scored with 2:06 left after getting a pass from Tristan Badger (Rush Henrietta) and tied it up with 44 seconds on an unassisted tally. LaRoche answered right back and scored seven seconds later to head into the 2nd quarter with a 3-2 advantage.

Soto completed the hat trick 1:56 into the 2nd quarter when he scored with the extra man after getting a pass from Joe Johnson (Churchville). Jake Podisiadly scored the only other goal in the quarter as the Redhawks led 4-3 at the break.

The Pioneers outshot the Redhawks 28-13 in the 2nd half as they took control. Nic Covelli (Carmel) tied the game up 1:30 into the 2nd half and Soto's 4th goal 44 seconds later gave the Pioneers their first lead. A lead they would not give up. Cade Casey (Plattsburgh/Peru) scored ten minutes later to make it 6-4. Soto and Casey's goals were assisted by Johnson. With those assists, Johnson climbed to the 200 career point plateau. Covelli made it 7-4 heading to the final quarter when he scored with 13 seconds left after getting a pass from Quintin Himko (Johnson City).

Johnson scored his first of the game 1:24 into the 4th after getting a pass from Tucker Sutphen (Brockport). Tyler Baker (Rome Free) capped the scoring after getting a pass from Nick Griffin (Penn Yan).

Soto led the way with his four goals while Johnson finished with a goal and three assists. Covelli chipped in a pair of scores while Scott Fingar (Penn Yan) led the team with seven ground balls. Matt Cobb (Churchville) was tough in the net as he made nine saves and shutout La Roche in the 2nd half.

Alfred State held a 52 to 29 advantage in shots in the game. 

The Pioneers begin the final week of the season on Wednesday when they host SUNY Canton. Opening faceoff is at 4 p.m. at Pioneer Stadium.