Utica, NY – The Utica College men's soccer team opened up its 2018 season on Saturday at home against cross-town rival SUNY Poly. The Pioneers fell to the visiting Wildcats, 2-1, dropping their first game of the year.
 
Senior Julian Fonseca (Rocky Hill, CT/Bridgton) put UC up 1-0 just 8:41 into the first half, after drawing a penalty kick call in the box. Fonseca buried the penalty kick opportunity past SUNY Poly's goalkeeper, Nathan Laughlin. The Pioneers would hold onto their 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
 
Utica outshot SUNY Poly 8-3 in the first half, although the Wildcats were awarded three more corner kick opportunities than the white and orange.
 
SUNY Poly got on the board in the 68^th minute, as Jamar Gayle cleaned up a loose ball around the net after teammate Richie Morris played the ball into the box on a free kick. The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 until the final seconds of the match. The Wildcats were given a penalty kick opportunity after UC was called for a handball inside the box. Benjamin Alonge scored the game-winner on the PK attempt with just two seconds remaining on the clock.
 
Junior goalkeeper Jonathan Side (Plattsburgh, NY/Plattsburgh) came up with four saves on the night as the team starts the season off 0-1.
 
SUNY Poly goalie Nathan Laughlin made seven saves in the contest to help the Wildcats earn a 1-0 start to their season.
 
The Pioneers are back on the pitch Saturday for another home match, as they play host to the Spartans of D'Youville. The game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.