Utica University Athletics

#20 Stevens 3, Utica 2 - OT - Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (10/29/11) - Nationally-ranked No. 20 Stevens Institute of Technology netted the game-winner with just under one minute to go into the first overtime to lift the Ducks to 3-2 victory over host Utica College in Empire 8 Conference play Saturday afternoon. The loss ended the Pioneers bid at their fourth conference tournament appearance in five years.

Utica's season came to a close Saturday with the Pioneers (11-7, 2-4 E8) coming up one win shy of the program-record set by last year's team.  Before the start of the contest UC said goodbye to four seniors, including Jonathan Wood (Derry, NH/Pinkerton), Shane Wittemann (Ronkonkoma, NY/Sachem North), Jeff Kassouf (New Paltz, NY/New Paltz) and Steven Romero (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle). 

Unfortunately, two misplayed balls by the Pioneer defense in their own box led to two Stevens' goals, which ultimately helped the Ducks rally from a 2-1 deficit.  With the win Stevens (14-2, 6-0 E8) secured a perfect record in the Empire 8 and they also captured the conference's regular season title. 

The Pioneers jumped out to a 2-1 lead over the course of the first 21 minutes of the contest.  Captain Shane Wittemann (Ronkonkoma, NY/Sachem North) made his senior day a memorable one when he ripped home his first goal of the season following a free kick into the box from classmate Jonathan Wood (Derry, NH/Pinkerton).  Junior DJ Ilebani (Abuja, Nigeria/Intl. School of Kenya) touched the ball in the box to earn an assist. 

Wood, also a senior captain, kept the senior day theme alive when one-timed his seventh goal of the season into the upper right corner past Stevens' goalie Paul Killian.  Sophomore stand out Jonathon Peterson (Bedford, NH/New Hampton) sent in the long cross to set Wood up for the Pioneers go-ahead goal. 

Victor Daza netted the equalizer in the 60th minute to knot the score at 2-2.  UC sophomore Chris Ferullo (Redding, CT/Joel Barlow) attempted to clear the ball but Daza was in the right place at the right time to secure the turnover and score in the upper right corner.  The final 30 minutes of the second half remained scoreless and overtime ensued. 

8:59 into the first overtime is when Stephen Dunbar sent in a long cross and UC's DJ Ilebani (Abuja, Nigeria/Intl. School of Kenya) could not get the ball out of the box before Daza got his foot on it.  Daza was in the right place at the right time once again and he finished for the second time on the afternoon to give the Ducks the victory.
  
Sophomore goalie Anthony Caruso (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) stopped a game-high nine shots in net for the Pioneers, while Killian added eight saves for the visitors. 

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