UTICA, N.Y. (April 7, 2018)  – Sophomore Max Bailey recorded a goal and a career-high 10 assists, freshman Ryan Gebhardt matched a career-high with six goals, and the thirteenth-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology Men's Lacrosse team returned to the win column with a 24-1 victory over Utica College Saturday in an Empire 8 Conference game at Gaetano Stadium.

Sophomore Brendan Monteleone had four goals and an assist and freshman Nico Ipeker added two goals and three assists for the Ducks as 14 different players recorded a point on the afternoon. Stevens improved to 10-2 on the year and remained perfect in the E8 at 3-0. 

Nick Yelich had the lone tally for Utica, who fell to 5-5 on the year and 2-1 in the Empire 8.

"I was happy with the way that our team got to work today," said head coach Gene Peluso. "I was impressed with the leadership that we got from Bryan Rogers on both ends of the field. He played excellent defense and scored a couple of great goals for us early."

"Obviously our offense put up some points and it was great to see a couple of guys get their first-career goals," Peluso continued. I thought all five goalies had great games, made nice saves and clears."

Rogers added a pair of goals, as did freshman Roman Bellisari. Sophomore Nick Marra and freshman Tim Spears each had a goal and an assist. Sophomore Alec Caseiro, senior John Boutureira, sophomore Jake Southren and freshmen Will Reed and Ryan Caplis each found the back of the net as Stevens set a season-high in goals. Freshman Sean Kunz had three assists to round of the Stevens scoring. The goals by Bellisari and Southren were the first of their collegiate careers.

Junior Carson White made four saves in 30 minutes to earn the victory. Ryan Boshart had 13 saves for Utica in taking the loss.

Stevens outshot Utica 56-18 on the day, including a 37-8 margin in shots on goal. Stevens went 24-for-26 on clears and forced Utica into committing 18 turnovers, while only collecting 11 successful clears in 22 attempts. The Ducks held a 22-7 edge in the 'X', with senior Scott Wedgeworth going a perfect 10-for-10 on faceoffs. Junior Nicholas Carnovale earned eight wins in the 'X', sophomore Connor Murphy earned three and freshman Trey Kiessling had the other faceoff victory for Stevens. The advantage in faceoffs helped Stevens gain a 40-17 edge in ground balls.

Stevens went a perfect 2-for-2 on the man-advantage, while holding the Pioneers scoreless in two 'Up' situations.

"Overall, it was a great group effort," Peluso offered.

The Ducks raced out to a four-goal through the game's first eight minutes as tallies from Boutureira, Monteleone, Gebhardt and Bailey gave Stevens all the offense it would ultimately need. Yelich briefly slowed down the Stevens offense with his 16th of the year, but the Ducks scored a pair of goals 13 seconds apart to take a 6-1 lead after one quarter.

Rogers' 11th of the year opened the second-quarter scoring. The Branchburg, New Jersey native had a pair of 'Up' goals on the afternoon to bring his season total in the statistic to five. Stevens scored twice in the final 17 seconds of the first half to head into the intermission with a 9-1 margin.

The third quarter proved fruitful for Stevens. The Ducks tallied 11 markers on 14 shots on goal in the period to take a commanding 20-1 lead. Bailey assisted on six of the 11 goals to finish with 10 assists. The 11-point output matched Bailey's career high, set against Alfred University on March 26, 2016.

"We didn't realize until late in the third quarter that Max had so many assists," Peluso said. "But he had a great game today. Pretty much what he's been doing all year long for us."

Marra, Bellisari, Ipeker and Spears each scored in the fourth to provide the final margin of victory.

Up Next: No. 13 Men's Lacrosse welcomes Hartwick College to the DeBaun Athletic Complex on April 14 for a rematch of the 2017 Empire 8 Conference semifinal. The game will be Stevens' USILA Headstrong Game. Live stats and video links on StevensDucks.com.

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