UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's soccer team will play the first of two home games this week on Tuesday night as it hosts SUNY Canton. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
Last Time Out: UC lost on the road to conference opponent Alfred University on Saturday… After holding the Saxons without a goal in the first half and the first eight minutes of the second half, the Pioneers lost 3-0… It took only seven minutes for Alfred to net all three of its goals.
 
Home Sweet Home: Utica (4-11 overall, 1-4 Empire 8) has won three of its four games in the friendly confines of Charles A. Gaetano Stadium… UC is looking to regain its footing after dropping the last five games including two on the road… The Pioneers have their final two home games this week and are hoping the home field advantage helps them snap the losing streak.
 
One Of The Best In The E8: Senior Shane Ruffing (Rochester, NY/Westborough) ranks in the top 10 in the conference in almost all offensive categories… He is fifth in shots (38) and shots per game (3.17)… Ruffing is sixth in points (18), points per game (1.29), and goals (seven)… He is seventh in goals per game (.500), assists (four) and assists per game (.286).
 
Team Effort: Utica has 16 players with at least one point on the season… Patrick Claffey (Burlington, CT/Lewis Mills) is third on the team with six points off of two goals and two assists… Jordan Senay (Lockport, NY/Lockport) is fourth with four points off of one goal and two assists… Matt Beljan (Bedminster, PA/Christopher Dock), Justin Schray (Oxford, NY/Oxford), and Marcel Dupuis (Hannacroix, NY/Greenville) are tied for fifth three points each.
 
In The Net: Sophomore Matthew Milograno (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) has appeared in six games while starting five including the last two games… Milograno has 29 saves and a save percentage of .725… Senior Nick Hallett (Adams, NY/South Jefferson CSD) has started 10 games for UC… Hallett has 52 saves and a save percentage of .722.
 
Scouting the Kangaroos: SUNY Canton is 4-11 on the season… The Kangaroos are currently on a four game losing streak… SUNY Canton is led by Edward Malinoski Jr. who has 11 points off of four goals and three assists, and goal keeper Austin Lamay who has 76 saves and a .724 save percentage.
 
Recent Years Against SUNY Canton: UC is 2-0 in the last 15 years against the Kangaroos… Last year Utica beat SUNY Canton 1-0 in overtime and had a huge 5-0 victorty in 2010.
 
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers play their final home game against nationally ranked conference opponent #20 Stevens (11-1-2, 3-0-2 Empire 8) on Friday… The game is scheduled for 4 p.m.
 
Social Media: Make sure to follow live updates of all the action on the Pioneers official Twitter feed: @UCPioneers… If you are at the game and on Twitter, or talking about the game on Twitter, make sure to use #UCMoose… You can also "Like" the Pioneers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UCpioneers ... Fans can also follow the Pioneers on Instagram: UCPioneers.