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Utica, NY (September 17, 2014) – The Utica College men's soccer team (2-1-2 overall) looks to win for the first time in the month of September when the Pioneers travel to Geneva to face the Hobart College Statesmen Wednesday afternoon. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.

ALL TIED UP: Utica is coming off a home game against Oswego State on Saturday that went into double overtime… Senior Shane Ruffing (Rochester, NY/Westborough) led the Pioneers with five shots and two shots on goal, but nobody on the field found the back of the net… The game resulted in UC's second draw in three games… Senior goalkeeper David Abdou (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) made six saves in the contest… Abdou has shut out the opposition in three of five games this season.

OVERTIME: Last year's matchup between Hobart and Utica ended in a 3-2 double overtime defeat for the Pioneers… The game was scoreless at halftime… Senior Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) and sophomore Dennis Runikera (Gaithersburg, MD/Northwood) netted goals for UC in the contest… Senior Anthony Caruso (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) recorded six saves in the loss.

LEAGUE LEADERS: The Pioneers lead the Empire 8 Conference in multiple categories… UC ranks first in the Empire 8 in points per game (5.40), goals per game (2.00) and assists per game (1.40)… Abdou has anchored a UC defense that leads the E8 in goals allowed per game (0.80) and save percentage (.846)…  Abdou also leads all individual goalkeepers with three shutouts this season… Senior Shane Ruffing (Rochester, NY/Westborough) leads the Empire 8 in both points (2.40) and goals per game (1.20) while teammate Chris Stashko (Apalachin, NY/Apalachin) leads the Empire 8 in assists per game (0.6)… Stashko also ranks sixth in points per game (1.00).

STINGY DEFENSE: The Pioneers have allowed only four goals on the season and have shut out their opponents three times already … All three shutouts have come at home and the Pioneers have not lost at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium since Oct. 12 of last season... On the road, Utica is winless in its last three games, dating back to last season… The last road win for the Pioneers was a 1-0 victory at Alfred on Oct. 26, 2013.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Coming off the bench, freshman Bita Gazashvili (Tiblisi, Georgia/) has already made his presence known… He scored his first career goal against Purchase College and racked up two assists against Sage College… He is currently second on the team with nine shots, five of which were on goal … His ball handling in traffic and speed has proven to be an asset for the Pioneers early in the season... At this pace, Gazashvili will finish third in total points for the Pioneers behind Ruffing and Stashko.

SCOUTING THE STATESMEN: Hobart (3-2-0 overall) is coming off a 2-0 loss at the University of Rochester on Saturday… The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Statesmen… Senior goalkeeper Mike Lucas made nine saves in the contest, which is tied with his season-high… Lucas allowed both goals in the matchup against Rochester, also the only goals he has given up in five contests… This season, Hobart is led by a balanced attack… Seven players have at least two points thus far, including three Statesmen with four points… Jacob Fox leads all Statesmen with 10 shots, seven shots on goal and is tied for first on the team with two goals.

BACK IN ACTION: After Wednesday night, the Pioneers return home to play Empire 8 rival Houghton College on Saturday night… Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Gaetano Stadium.