Utica, NY (10/8/13)- The Utica College men's soccer team returns home Wednesday night as it takes on Cazenovia College. The match is the first of a three game home stand for the Pioneers. First kick is scheduled for 7 p.m.
BROADCAST INFO: Links for live stats and video for Wednesday'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.
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: UC had its two-game winning streak snapped as it fell to Houghton College, 1-0, Saturday afternoon… Houghton's Cory Brautigam scored in the 24th minute off an assist from Landon Sheaffer… Senior
Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) led the Pioneers with two shots on goal… Houghton goalkeeper Jacob Dunnett made two saves in the win to help the Highlanders improve to 8-1-1.
TABLES TURNED: The Pioneers had shut out their previous two opponents before being shut out by Houghton… It marks the fourth time the Pioneers have been shut out this season… Three of the four shutouts have come by a score of 1-0.
PROTECT THE HOME TURF: Utica begins a pivotal three game home stand Wednesday … The Pioneers are just a modest 3-3 in home games this season… Last year UC went 7-1-2 at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium… With three of their last four games coming on the road, UC needs to play well during this home stand.
STILL AT THE TOP: Due to Houghton College being a provisional member of the Empire 8, Saturday's loss didn't count against the Pioneers in the conference standings… The Pioneers are tied in first place at 2-0 with nationally ranked No. 10 Stevens Institute of Technology… UC has four conference games remaining on the season… The highly anticipated match with Stevens is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m.
PACING THE PIOS: Shane Ruffing (Rochester, NY/Westborough) currently leads the Pioneers with ten total points (four goals, two assists)… Close behind is
Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) with nine points (four goals, one assist)… Defender
Greg Silvestro (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) is third on the team with seven points (three goals, one assist)… Seniors
Jeffrey Cupka (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional) and
Jonathon Peterson (Bedford, NH/New Hampton) have each chipped in five points on the season.
HOW THEY MATCH UP: Utica College averages 1.364 goals per game to Cazenovia's 1.8… UC allows an average of 1.00 goals per game to Cazenovia's 3.94… The Pioneers and Wildcats have played three common opponents in SUNY Morrisville, St. John Fisher, and SUNYIT in 2013… UC is 2-1 while Cazenovia is 0-3 against the same opponents… The Pioneers are 3-3 at home while the Wildcats are 2-5 on the road.
SCOUTING CAZENOVIA: The Wildcats enter Wednesday's contest at 3-8 overall… Cazenovia has lost four of its last five games… They are coming off an 8-1 defeat at the hands of Penn St.-Abington… Junior Ryan Hanehan leads the Wildcats with 16 points (eight goals)… Senior Oleg Martynyuk isn't far behind with ten points (two goals, six assists).
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: The Pioneers have won four of the last five matches with Cazenovia dating back to 2007… Caz won last year's match up in a thrilling 3-2 overtime affair… UC jumped out a 2-0 lead in the first 50 minutes, however the Wildcats fought back, netting the tying goal with three minutes remaining… Two minutes into the extra frame Caz completed the stunning comeback when Kyle Severance scored the overtime winner.
LOOKING AHEAD: The Pioneers continue a three game home stand Saturday against nationally ranked No. 10 Stevens Institute of Technology… Both teams are tied for first in the conference at 2-0 … Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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