Utica, NY – The Utica College men's soccer team hosted The Sage Colleges on Saturday for a mid-season Empire 8 matchup. UC fell to the visiting Gators, 2-1, falling to 1-3 in conference play.
 
Jonathan Side (Plattsburgh, NY/Plattsburgh) returned to the lineup, making two important saves in the first half. Sage outshot Utica 5-1 in the first 45 minutes of play, but the score remained tied at 0-0 heading into halftime.
 
Sage found the back of the net just 3:48 into the second half to take a 1-0 lead. James Lagunas was credited with the goal and teammate Giddel Alvarado received the assist. Moments later, Nicolas Diaz (Commack, NY/Commack) won possession back for UC as Sage attempted to clear the ball and touched it over to Tucker Marvin (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) who shot a rocket for the equalizer. The score read 1-1 in the 53^rd minute of the match, but did not remain that way for long.
 
Just over a minute after Marvin's score, Sage drew a foul in the attacking zone and received a penalty kick opportunity. River Seybolt scored the second goal of the match for the Gators and created the 2-1 final result.
 
Side finished the match with five saves in his first game back on the pitch, after a three game absence. The Pioneers are now 4-7-1 overall and 1-3 against Empire 8 opponents.
 
Sage improves to 4-5-1 overall and is now 2-1-1 in conference play. Goalkeeper Mike Chiaravalloti came up with one save in the contest.
 
UC is back in action on Monday for a non-conference meeting with Middlebury College. The match is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. right back at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.