Utica, NY (10/10/13)- The Utica College men's soccer team takes on nationally ranked No.11 Stevens Institute of Technology Saturday in a key Empire 8 conference match. First kick is scheduled for 3 p.m.
BROADCAST INFO: Links for live stats, video, and audio for Saturday's contest are available on the Pioneers schedule page at www.ucpioneers.com... Live video for the match can be accessed at www.empire8.tv... Live audio will be provided by WPNR 90.7 FM
SOCIAL MEDIA: If you can't make it out to the game make sure to follow live updates on the Pioneers official Twitter feed: @UCPioneers... If you are at the game, or talking about the game on Twitter, make sure to use #LetsGoUC… You can also "Like" the Pioneers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UCpioneers.
LAST TIME OUT: Thirteen different Pioneers scored at least one point as Utica topped visiting Cazenovia College 10-1 Wednesday night... The nine goal advantage for UC was the Pioneers' most lopsided victory since a 12-0 win over the Wildcats in 1997... The Pioneers, winners of three of their last four games, evened their record at 6-6 on the year.
KING OF THE HILL: The winner of Saturday's contest will claim sole possession of first place in the Empire 8… Both teams enter the highly anticipated match at 2-0 in conference play… With a head-to-head victory in hand, Saturday's winner will have the inside track to the top seed in the conference tournament.
PIONEER LEADERS: Junior
Shane Ruffing (Rochester, NY/Westborough) leads the team with 12 points (five goals, two assists)… Senior captain
Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) has been consistently producing for UC with 11 points (four goals, three assists)… Defender
Greg Silvestro (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) has given the Pioneers a spark from the back end with ten points (four goals, two assists)…
Jeffrey Cupka (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional) has recorded eight points (two goals, four assists) on the year… Jonathan Peterson has also chipped in with two goals and three assists for UC… Goalkeeper
Anthony Caruso (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) has a save percentage of .766 and a goals against average of 1.07.
OUR HOUSE: The Pioneers have now won two straight home games… They improved to 4-3 in home games this season after Wednesday's 10-1 victory over Cazenovia… UC is 11-4-2 at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium over the past two seasons… The Pioneers need their home field advantage to be a factor against Stevens… Saturday's contest is the second of a three-game home stand for UC.
STEVENS STANDING OUT: The Ducks (9-1-1) are the only Empire 8 team ranked or receiving votes in the NSCAA poll at No. 11… Stevens has won the Empire 8 conference championship six straight seasons… The Ducks rank first in the conference in goals scored per game (3.00) and goals allowed per game (0.45).
DUCKS FLYING HIGH: Carson Pryor leads the team with 16 points (seven goals, two assists) including three goals in the last three games… Pryor ranks first in the Empire 8 in goals per game at .636… Colin Phillips is second on the team with 14 points (six goals, two assists)… Stephen Dunbar ranks third on the Ducks with 12 points (five goals, two assists)… Goalkeeper Paul Killian's .481 goals against average and .833 save percentage both rank second in the conference.
HOW THEY MATCH UP: Utica scores 2.083 to goals per game to Stevens 3.00… Utica allows 1.00 goals per game to Stevens .45… Utica ranks second in the conference with 167 shots which is second only to Stevens' 198… Each team has three players in the top ten individual points per game in the Empire 8.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: The Pioneers are 0-7 against the Ducks dating back to 2008 including some devastating overtime losses… Last year Stevens defeated UC 3-1… The Ducks jumped out to a 2-0 lead before
Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) got the Pioneers on the board in the 68th minute… Stevens added insurance in the 80th minute to seal the 3-1 victory.
LOOKING AHEAD: The Utica College men's soccer team wraps a three game home stand Tuesday against Wells College … Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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