KEUKA PARK, N.Y. — The Keuka College Men's Lacrosse team fell 16-9 to Utica College in an Empire 8 game at the Jepson Community Athletic Complex Saturday afternoon.

Kasey Gallina led Keuka College 0-3, 0-3 Empire 8) with four goals. The senior also added an assist on the afternoon for five points. Goalie Jared Hurlbutt had 15 saves for the Wolves.

Utica College 16 at Keuka College 9

The Pioneers took an early lead on the Wolves with a pair of goals in the opening five minutes. The Wolves responded with back-to-back goals by Kasey Gallina to level the game. Utica added a pair to close the first with a 4-2 lead.

The visitors created separation in the second half. Utica outscored Keuka 6-1 in the frame, the lone tally came from Seth Spurgeon for the Wolves. Utica led 10-3 at the half.

Keuka College was never able to cut into the second quarter lead that the Pioneers created. The two teams alternated goals for the third quarter. Keuka got goals from Chris Bellanca, Kasey Gallina, and Michael Bellanca, but the margin was still seven going into the fourth with Utica leading 13-6.

The Wolves scored three in the third with Bellanca and Gallina adding to their totals and Brandon Smith scoring his first of the year, but Utica matched them with three goals of their own as the Pioneers defeated the Wolves 16-9.

KC Notes:

• The Wolves are now 4-7 all-time against Utica College
• Saturday bucked the trend as Keuka and Utica have alternated wins in each of the last five games. Utica has now won two straight over Keuka College
• Jared Hurlbutt set a new high with 15 saves for the Wolves. The transfer also surpassed 200 saves for his collegiate career. Hurlbutt made 168 in two seasons for Cazenovia College. He now has 41 for the Green and Gold, playing in just five games
• Seth Spurgeon won a pair of faceoffs on Saturday giving him 154 for his career and tying him with Jake Carlson for sixth all-time
• Andrew Peterman led the Wolves with 12 faceoff wins, setting a new career-high

Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves will embark on a long break in the schedule. Due to COVID cancelations and teams dropping out of Empire 8 play, Keuka's next game will be on Wednesday, April 21 when the Wolves travel to Russell Sage College. It will the first time that the Wolves have faced the Gators in lacrosse.