UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's soccer team rallied with a second half goal but it proved to be too late as visiting Hobart College earned a 2-1 victory in the season opener for both squads at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium Tuesday night. 

With the Pioneers trailing 2-0, sophomore Bita Gazashvili (Tiblisi, Georgia) found senior Shane Ruffing (Rochester, NY/Westborough) in front of the net and Ruffing finished the goal to make the score 2-1 in the 61^st minute.  The Pioneers could not complete the comeback as the Statesmen (1-0) hung on to the one goal lead for the remaining 29 minutes of action.

After a scoreless first half of play, the Statesmen took the lead when JP White netted his first of two goals at the 49:49 mark. Just over four minutes later White added his second of the day to give the visitors the two goal advantage.  Joe Busutti and Jacob Fox were each credited with an assist on the afternoon.

Ruffing now has 24 career goals while Gazashvili now has seven career assists. Senior goalie Nick Hallett (Adams, NY/South Jefferson CSD) made seven saves in net for the Pioneers. Tyler Serafine stopped two shots in net to earn the victory for the Statesmen. 

The Pioneers (0-1) return to the pitch on Friday when they travel to Gordon College to participate in the first round of the North Shore Invitational at 7:30 p.m.