UTICA, NY - The Utica College men's soccer team is heading to Elmira, NY this Saturday to face Elmira College in an Empire 8 Conference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Last Time Out: The Pioneers are 4-8-1 (1-3 Empire 8) this season and are coming off a 6-0 loss against Middlebury College. Sophomore goalkeeper Randy Miksch (Lake Villa, IL/Warren Township) had 12 saves after facing 27 shots (18 on goal). The team has now lost three matches in a row, heading into a key conference contest against Elmira.
Season Winding Down: UC is currently 1-3 in Empire 8 action and is sixth in the conference standings. There are only five games left, three conference matches, before the 2018 regular season comes to a close. Utica needs to win all remaining E8 games to potentially qualify for the conference tournament for the first time since 2014.
Offensive Leaders: Senior Julian Fonseca (Rocky Hill, CT/Bridgton) is the team's leading goal scorer with four goals this season. Trailing Fonseca, are junior Tucker Marvin (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) and sophomore Patrick Hynes (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem) with two goals each. Junior Thomas Muller (Camillus, NY/Bishop Ludden) is the Pioneers' assist leader with three, while Nicolas Diaz (Commack, NY/Commack) has added two of his own.
Guarding the Net: Junior goalie Jonathan Side (Plattsburgh, NY/Plattsburgh) is leading the team with 53 saves on the year. He is currently ranked second in the Empire 8 in total saves. Behind him is Randy Miksch (Lake Villa, IL/Warren Township) with 27 saves in just four games this season.
Scouting Elmira: The Soaring Eagles are 2-11 (0-4 Empire 8) this season after coming off a 1-0 loss against Medaille College on Tuesday. Elmira is led by Ryan Wallace's three goals on the year and Adam Nichols team-leading four assists. Giovanni Garfui is leading the goalkeepers on the roster with 43 saves throughout his 12 starts in net.
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers will return home next Tuesday (Oct 16) to face Morrisville State College in a non-conference game. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
