Box Score Utica 2, Elmira 1 Box Score

Utica, NY (10-15-11) – The Utica College men's soccer team defeated Elmira, 2-1, Saturday on a rainy evening at Gaetano Stadium in front of a elated Homecoming crowd.  Sophomore Jeffrey Cupka (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional) drilled a corner kick directly into the far corner of the goal for the eventual game-winner. 

Elmira opened up the scoring first at 24:02 when senior Edward Michelson found the top left corner of the net, off a free kick, from 25 yards out, unassisted.  Michelson registered his fifth goal of the season as he gave the Soaring Eagles a 1-0 lead.

UC answered just over eight minutes later, at 32:17, as sophomore Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) scrambled in front of the net and booted his team-leading seventh goal of the season, tying the contest at 1-1   Sophomore Alex Sheridan (East Islip, NY/St. John the Baptist) collected his third assist of the season on the goal. Utica was awarded its second corner attempt of the first half at 39:44 and took advantage as Cupka gave the home team a 2-1 cushion with just over five minutes left until halftime.  Cupka hooked an impressive draw shot into the far corner of the net as he banked his first goal of the year, securing the Pioneers first conference victory.

UC out shot EC 19-5 and held a 4-2 advantage on corner attempts.  The Utica defensive unit was clutch all game, allowing just one goal and no other shots on net thereafter.  The Pioneer defense held the Soaring Eagles to just three shots in the second half.

McAllister and senior captain Jonathan Wood (Derry, NH/Pinkerton) combined for 10 shots, four on goal, for Utica. 

Sophomore goalkeeper Anthony Caruso (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) moves his record to 7-5 overall including a 1-3 mark in E8 action with another stellar performance, allowing just the one goal.  Caruso is among the league leaders in goals against average and save percentage.

The Pioneers return to action Sunday as they travel to Saratoga Springs, NY to face Skidmore College.  The non-conference match-up is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.  The Thoroughbreds hold an overall record of 5-8-1, as well as a 1-3-1 record in the Liberty League.