(10/3/13)- The Utica College men's soccer team heads to Houghton College in search of its third straight win on Saturday. The contest is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

BROADCAST INFO: A link for live video for Saturday's contest is available at www.empire8.tv, courtesy of Houghton College.

LAST TIME OUT: Utica recorded its second straight shutout victory Tuesday … Senior Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) and junior Shane Ruffing (Rochester, NY/Westborough) scored a goal apiece to lead the Pioneers to the 2-0 victory over SUNY Morrisville … Senior Jonathon Peterson (Bedford, NH/New Hampton) and junior Anthony Fotino (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central) each chipped in an assist … Senior goalkeeper Anthony Caruso (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) made six saves while recording his second straight shutout.

TOUGH "D": The Pioneers rank third in the conference in goals allowed per game at 1.00 … The defense is led by senior captain Chris Perkins (Charlton, MA/Saint John's of Shrewsbury) and goalkeeper Anthony Caruso (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) … They have shutout three out of their last four opponents.

VIEW FROM THE TOP: UC currently sits at the top of the Empire 8 with a 2-0 record in conference play … The Pioneers also have the longest current win streak in the conference at two games … McAllister and Ruffing are both tied for the E8 lead with two game-winning goals.

LEADING THE WAY: Shane Ruffing (Rochester, NY/Westborough) currently leads the Pioneers with ten total points (4g, 2a) … Close behind is Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) with nine points (4g, 1a) … After his two goal performance against St. John Fisher, defender Greg Silvestro (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) is third on the team with seven points (3g, 1 a) … Senior Jeffrey Cupka (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional) and Jonathon Peterson (Bedford, NH/New Hampton) each have five points.

BRICK WALL: Goalkeeper Anthony Caruso (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) has not allowed a goal in 189:45, spanning the course of three games … Caruso ranks third in goals against average and save percentage in the Empire 8 … His three shutouts on the season place him second in the conference … With 17 career shutouts, Caruso is the most decorated goalkeeper in Utica College men's soccer history.

SCOUTING HOUGHTON: Houghton College enters the match at 7-1-1 overall … The Highlanders are led by goalkeeper Jacob Dunnett who ranks first in every major statistical category in the Empire 8 … Freshman Landon Sheaffer leads the Highlanders with 12 points (5g, 2a) … They have outscored their opponents 17-5 on the year … Houghton is coming off its first loss of the season … They are undefeated at home.

TALE OF THE TAPE: Houghton has scored 2.125 goals per game to Utica's 1.50 … Houghton has allowed 0.38 goals per game to Utica's 1.00 … The Highlanders average 7.38 shots on goal per game to Utica's 5.70.

LAST TIME THEY MET: In the final game of the 2012 season, the Pioneers and Highlanders tied 2-2 … UC jumped out a 2-0 lead in the first 30:16 of the contest … Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) assisted on both Utica goals … Houghton rallied back eventually tying the game in 82nd minute.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Pioneers return home Wednesday, October 9 to begin a three-game home stand... UC will take on Cazenovia College at 7 p.m.


                                                                                      --- www.ucpioneers.com ---