Box Score Hobart 3, Utica 2 (2OT) - Final

Utica, NY (9/18/2013) – The Utica College men's soccer team battled a talented Hobart squad to a tough 3-2 double overtime loss on the turf at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium Wednesday night.  Both teams were held scoreless in the first half of play, and they exchanged goals in the second half to send the contest into overtime.  Freshman Charlie Kelly netted his second goal of the contest in the 102nd minute to push the Statesmen (3-3) past the Pioneers (2-4) in the non-conference contest.

UC continues its three-game home stand on Saturday when it opens Empire 8 Conference action against the Golden Flyers of Nazareth College.  The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.  

The Pioneers fell into a 1-0 hold in the 63rd minute, but responded to tie the score at 1-1 when senior Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) scored in the 79th minute.  Classmate Jeffrey Cupka (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional) sent a free kick into the box, which was collected by McAllister, who then turned and fired the equalizer into the lower left side of the net past Hobart goalie Tyler Serafine. 

Just over two minutes later Charlie Kelly scored his first of the night to put the Statesmen back on top 2-1, but the home squad was not done yet.  Exactly four minute later UC's Alex Sheridan (East Islip, NY/St. John the Baptist) sent a long ball up field to a streaking Shane Ruffing (Rochester, NY/Westborough) who collected the pass and found Dennis Runikera (Gaithersburg, MD/Northwood) with a crossing pass in front of the net.  Runikera one-timed Ruffings' crossing-pass into the back of the net to knot the score at 2-2 in the 85th minute. 

Both teams were held scoreless in the first ten minute overtime, but it took just 1:09 into the second before Kelly found the back of the net for his second of the day and third of the season to end the contest with the visitors up by one. 

UC outshot Hobart 17-15 on the evening.  The Pioneers earned five second half corner kicks to put the pressure on the Statesmen. 

UC's Anthony Caruso (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) stopped six shots in the contest, while Tyler Serafine came away with seven saves for the visitors.