Milliken's Solid Day Lifts Men's Lacrosse To 11-8 Victory

AURORA, N.Y. – Trailing by a 4-2 score at halftime, the Wells College men's lacrosse team came from behind to post an 11-8 victory over Alfred State College Monday afternoon at Pioneer Stadium. Wells improves to 2-6 following the non-conference game while Alfred State dips to 1-12 on the year.

Sophomore Alex Milliken (Hilton, N.Y.) posted a season-best eight points on offense, racking up four goals and four assists. Junior Connor Jansen (Horseheads, N.Y.) scored two goals and an assist for three points (2-1=3) as he joined Milliken with 10 shots taken in the game. Freshmen Aaron Heisey (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) and Tanner Mingen (Houston, Texas) each scored two goals while first-year Brian Buttner (Highland Mills, N.Y.) added a goal of his own.

Wells goalkeeper Tyler Bischoff (Allendale, N.J.) picked up his sixth career victory between the pipes, setting the program record for career wins after passing current Assistant Coach Kyle Brimm '12. The team debuted as a varsity program in 2008.

The Express trailed by a 3-0 margin in the game's first 24:56 as the Pioneers held the visitors scoreless despite a 10-to-7 shot advantage. Milliken scored his team's first goal of the game at 8:47, but Alfred State established a 4-1 lead only 23 seconds later. Buttner's sixth goal of the year, however, cut into the deficit at halftime as Wells trailed by a 4-2 score at the break.

Alfred State's Teddy Alvarado scored only eight seconds into the second half, but Wells scored four-straight goals to capture a 6-5 lead with 2:47 left in the third quarter. Alvarado's third goal of the game came with only 12 seconds left on the clock, but Mingen scored a dramatic goal with only three ticks left on the scoreboard to take a 7-6 lead that they would not relinquish in the contest.

Looking to maintain their lead entering the fourth quarter, Milliken scored an unassisted goal only 48 seconds into the stanza before he set up back-to-back goals by Jansen to take a commanding 10-6 lead. Alfred State picked up a man-up goal with 6:58 left, but Heisey added insurance with his 17th goal of the year to grant his team an 11-7 lead. A goal in the final minute by Alfred State was for naught as Wells held the hosts scoreless in the final seconds of regulation time.

Bischoff made seven saves for Wells, elevating them to their second win in as many years against the Pioneers. Ryan Amidon turned aside 15 Wells shots, but drew the loss after allowing 11 goals to the Express offense.

Wells returns to action Wednesday, Apr. 15 as they host the reigning North Eastern Athletic Conference champions from Keuka College at 4 p.m. on the North Athletic Field.