Utica, NY – The Utica College men's soccer team dropped a tough 2-1 decision against visiting Alfred University in Empire 8 Conference action Friday night as the College celebrated Homecoming weekend at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.  UC's Bita Gazashvili (Tiblisi, Georgia) netted his team-best third goal of the season off a beautiful lead pass from Cheick Tounkara (Bronx, NY) to account for the lone goal of the evening for the Pioneers.

Alfred got the game's opening goal off a header from Adam Taylor just 1:48 into the contest to give the Saxons a 1-0 lead.  UC tied it up in the first half after the goal by Gazashvili, but the Saxons were able to net what proved to be the game-winner off a direct kick by team leading scorer Richard Lander with just over 20 minutes to go in the contest.

UC goalie Matthew Milograno (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) stopped six shots on the afternoon, while Chris Gutierrez made four saves in net for the Saxons. 

The Pioneers were outshot 12-5 on the afternoon and Alfred also earned a 4-3 advantage in corner kick opportunities.

Utica's record moved to 1-7 overall and 0-2 in Empire 8 play.  The Pioneers return to the pitch on Tuesday when they travel to Wells College to take on the Express at 5:30 p.m.