UTICA, NY- The Utica College men's soccer team hits the road Saturday as it travels to Elmira College for its Empire 8 Conference opener.  Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m.
 
LAST TIME OUT: Utica lost 3-1 in non-conference action at Skidmore College on Wednesday night…  The Thoroughbreds worked a 2-1 lead in the first half and added an insurance tally late in the contest to seal the two goal victory… The Pioneers' lone goal of the contest was scored by junior Bita Gazashvili (Tiblisi, Georgia), his second in as many games, and was assisted by Joseph Hunter (Plymouth Meeting, PA/Plymouth-Whitemarsh).
 
HEATING UP: After a slow start to the season, junior Bita Gazashvili (Tiblisi, Georgia) has totaled five points (two goals, one assist) in his last two games… He is tied for third in the E8 in goals and his 1.00 points per game rank fifth in the conference… Senior Joseph
Hunter netted his first collegiate goal, the eventual game-winner in Utica's 4-2 win over Baruch on Sunday… With the assist on Wednesday, he has now totaled three points in his last two games.
 
SPREADING THE WEALTH: Utica has six different players with at least one point this season… Aside from Gazashvili, Marcel Dupuis (Hannacroix, NY/Greenville), Owen Gillam (Bristol, CT/Bristol), and Joseph Hunter (Plymouth Meeting, PA/Plymouth-Whitemarsh) lead the way with one goal and one assist each … Thomas Muller (Camillus, NY/Bishop Ludden) has one goal, while Julian Fonseca (Rocky Hill, CT/Bridgton) has one assist.
 
SCOUTING ELMIRA: The Soaring Eagles are currently 1-2-1 on the season and they are coming off a 0-0 tie against RIT on Wednesday… Elmira has struggled to score this season as it has been shut out three times… Michael Bryant and Misi Glover each have one goal on the season. 
 
AGAINST THE SOARING EAGLES: Elmira holds a 14-8 record all-time against Utica… The Soaring Eagles defeated UC 4-2 on Oct. 3 last season… Bita Gazashvili (Tiblisi, Georgia)e and Patrick Claffey (Burlington, CT/Lewis Mills) each had an assist on the day.
 
LOOKING AHEAD: UC will remain on the road Tuesday as it travels to Geneva, NY to take on Hobart College… Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.