DJ Ilebani and the Pioneers need a win or a tie on Saturday to advance to the Empire 8 Conference Tournament for the fourth time in six years
Utica, NY (10/26/2012) – The Utica College men's soccer team travels to Empire 8 Conference foe Elmira College on Saturday. Hanging in the balance is a chance to earn a spot in the coveted conference tournament. If the Pioneers win or tie on Saturday against the Soaring Eagles they will advance to the conference tournament for the fourth time in the last six years.
Against Elmira: Utica has beaten Elmira in four of its last seven meetings dating back to 2005 … The Pioneers have outscored the Soaring Eagles 17-11 in that stretch … UC topped Elmira 2-1 last year …
Jeff Cupka netted the game-winner off of a corner kick in last year's meeting at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium … Junior
Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) also netted a goal, assisted by classmate
Alex Sheridan (East Islip, NY/St. John the Baptist).
Five in a Row?: The Pioneers are currently riding the highs of a season-best four game winning streak … The last time UC was this hot was last season when it won six games in a row … That six game win streak started with a 2-1 win over Elmira.
Where We Stand: The Pioneers (8-7-1, 2-3-0) have managed to win eight games for the fourth time in five years … This year it was against one of the toughest schedules in the region … The Pioneers have played particularly well at home this year, posting a 7-1-1 overall record at the friendly confines of Charles A. Gaetano Stadium … UC will have to take the show on the road against Elmira, hoping to improve on its 1-6 road record this season.
McAllister Leads the Way: Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) currently leads the team and ranks third in the conference with nine goals this season … McAllister currently ranks third on the College's all-time scoring list with 45 career points (16 goals, 10 assists) … His 20 points this season is tied for ninth on the College's single-season scoring list.
Caruso Getting it Done: Junior goalie
Anthony Caruso (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) currently boasts a 1.16 goals against average, which ranks fifth on the College's single-season list … He ranks third in the conference with 56 saves and he has four shut outs.
Defense is the Name of the Game: UC's defense will face a particularly tall task on Saturday, as Elmira headed into the week ranked tenth nationally in goals per game … The Pioneer defense, led by Caruso and junior captain
Chris Perkins (Charlton, MA/Saint John's of Shrewsbury), has allowed one goal or less in 13 games this year.
Empire 8 Tournament: The Pioneers advanced to the Empire 8 Tournament in 2010, 2008 and 2007 … In each of their appearances they were unfortunately bounced in the first round … UC's most recent appearance in the conference tournament was in 2010 when they lost to host Stevens 2-0.
Scouting Elmira: Elmira is currently 11-5 overall and boasts a 2-3 ledger in conference play … The Soaring Eagles are led by Andre Germano's 25 points (11 goals, three assists), which leads the Empire 8 … They are 4-2 on their home pitch this season … Ernesto Valverde ranks second on the team with 21 points in just eight games played … They rank 10th nationally with an average of 3.13 goals per contest.
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