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Utica, NY (11/5/13)-The Utica College men's soccer team hosts Ithaca College in an Empire 8 Conference semifinal match on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. Utica is the second seed in this year's tournament, while Ithaca is seeded third.

Ticket Information: Ticket prices will be $4 for adults and $2 for students & children ... Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth as you enter Charles A. Gaetano Stadium … Due to Empire 8 regulations, no complimentary tickets are available.

Are You Ready for Some (Playoff) Futbol?: The Pioneers make their first appearance in the Empire 8 Tournament since the 2010 season… This is the first time since 2007 that Utica has played in a home playoff game. 

Utica's Last Time Out: The Pioneers took a 2-0 lead, and played stingy defense for the remainder of the contest as UC beat visiting Elmira 2-1 on Saturday night... Jonathan Peterson and Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) had goals for UC, while Anthony Caruso (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) slammed the door five times on the visitors... Elmira picked up a goal in the 89th minute, but it was too little, too late as Utica clinched the 2nd seed in this year's conference tournament.

Ithaca's Last Time Out: The Bombers surrendered two early goals and could not make up the difference as they wrapped up the regular season with a 2-1 loss to No. 4 Stevens... Junior Casey Williamson scored the only goal for the Bombers, while junior goalkeeper Jordan Gentile had two saves... The Bomber defense was strong as well, allowing just four Duck shots all game.

McAllister Back In Form: After wrapping up the regular season with a goal Saturday, senior striker Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) is "Home Alone" atop the team's goal scoring list, with seven goals this season... He has 25 career goals, and needs just one more to tie Evan Dufault '08 for the most goals in a career at Utica College... He is tied for third in the Empire 8 conference in the goal scoring category as well.

Defense Becomes Offense: Although they are listed as defenders, Greg Silvestro (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) and Shane Ruffing (Rochester, NY/Westborough) are tied for second on the team with six goals apiece.

Caruso Protects The Pipes: Anthony Caruso (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) has the third-best goals against average in the Empire 8 conference at 1.20... That figure ranks second among playoff-eligible goaltenders.

Spread the Wealth: Eleven Pioneers have one goal or more this season.

Scouting Ithaca: The Bombers finished in third place in the Empire 8 Conference with a record of 3-3... Overall, Ithaca finished the regular season with a record of 4-12... Sean Forward has been the convincing leader of the Bomber offense with seven goals, while Casey Williamson and Blair Carney helped out with two goals apiece... Forward's 19 points rank him third in the conference...  In goal, Jordan Gentile has a 1.26 goals allowed average, good for fourth in the conference.

We Meet Again: The Pioneers and Bombers met on October 19th, with Ithaca winning 4-1.

The Other Side: Top seeded Stevens takes on fourth seeded Naz at 4 p.m. Wednesday... The winner plays the victor of this match in a winner-take-all final for the Empire 8 title Saturday at the highest remaining seed.


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