UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's soccer team returns to the pitch at home on Tuesday night when the Pioneers host SUNY Canton in non-conference action at 6 p.m.

Getting Back on Track: The Pioneers are currently 5-7 overall and will look to snap a three game slide on Tuesday when they host the Roos at Gaetano Stadium … UC hopes to crack the scoring column after being shut out in each of its last three contests against St. John Fisher, Albany College of Pharmacy and most recently against Nazareth in Empire 8 Conference play at home on Saturday. 

Recently Against Canton: The Pioneers are 2-1 against Canton dating back to 2014 … Last season Canton pulled out a 1-0 win to snap a two game slide against the Pioneers … In 2015 UC came away with a convincing 4-2 victory … In 2014 the Pioneers earned a thrilling 1-0 victory in overtime. 

Empire 8 Leader: Junior Julian Fonseca (Rocky Hill, CT/Bridgton) is head and shoulders above the competition in the assist category this season … He currently leads the conference and ranks in the top 15 nationally with nine assists … He needs just three more to tie the program record for assists in a season… He is currently tied for sixth all-time with 12 career assists… Fonseca is one of only four players in the conference with more than 10 points … His 11 total points are tied for third in the E8.

Goal Scorer: Sophomore forward Thomas Muller (Camillus, NY/Bishop Ludden) leads the team and is tied for third in the Empire 8 with four goals … Three of those four goals came in the Pioneers win over SUNY ESF … Muller leads the team with 26 shots.

Creating Chances: The Pioneers consistent pressure up top this year has resulted in a 68-56 corner kicker advantage through 12 games … UC has been particularly successful in the first half of games, earning 39 corners compared to the opponents 24.

Strong Second Half Surge:  12 of Utica's 15 goals this season have come in the second half … The Pioneers have outscored opponents 12-8 in the second half of play through 12 games.

Down the Stretch They Come: Utica has seven regular season contests left on the docket as the Pioneers make a push for a top four spot in the Empire 8 standings … Four of the Pioneers final seven games are Empire 8 contests … UC will play two straight at home, before a three game road trip, and the regular season will be capped with two home contests at Gaetano. 

Meet Canton: Canton (4-5-1) heads to Utica having won three of their last five games, including a 4-3 victory over Cazenovia on Sept. 27^th … Kyle Smith leads the Roos with four foals in seven starts this season … Hector Martinez ranks second on the team with three goals and one assist … Goalie Mouhammed Thiam has started eight of the Roo's ten games between the pipes … He has three shut outs this season and a team-best 1.17 goals against average … He also has a save percentage of .833.