UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's soccer team will face St. John Fisher College on Saturday in an Empire 8 conference match. The match is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.

Last Time Out: Utica is currently 2-4-1, and 0-1 in the Empire 8 this season. They are coming off of a 1-0 overtime loss against Alfred University last Saturday in their conference opener. The Pioneers had a total of five shots with four on target. Junior Jonathan Side (Plattsburgh, NY/Plattsburgh) stopped five of six shots on goal, and saw 11 total shots come his way in total.
 
Protecting the Net: Side currently leads the Empire 8 conference in saves. He has a total of 40 saves in seven games. He is also fourth in the Empire 8 in goals against average at 1.22, and third in shutouts with a pair of clean sheets to his credit.  

The Defense Rests: In addition to the efforts of Side, the Pioneers have shown an exemplary effort in their own half of the pitch with stingy defense. In seven matches this season, the Pioneers have held their opponents to a goal or less four times, and have allowed more than two goals just once.

Shots Fired: The Pioneer eleven has unleashed 63 shots in seven games. They are fourth in the Empire 8 in shots on goal with 36. Senior Julian Fonseca (Rocky Hill, CT/Bridgton) has been the team's best striking threat. He is tied at third in the Empire 8 with 13 shots, second in goals scored with four, and third in total points with nine.

On The Ball: The Pioneers have scored the first goal in three matches this season, and two of those opening tallies came en route to victories.

You'll Never Walk Alone: In addition to Fonseca's exploits to begin the year, three others have also contributed a goal apiece throughout the tightly contested September schedule so far. Seniors Nicolas Diaz (Commack, NY/Commack) and Alex Purcell (Lansing, NY/Lansing), and sophomore Patrick Hynes (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem) have all found the back of the net in aid of the Pioneer attack this season.

Scouting St. John Fisher: The Cardinals are currently 0-6-1, and 0-1 in the Empire 8 this season. They are coming off a 3-0 loss against Stevens last Saturday. Joe Balls and Justin Bonetto each have one goal apiece for the Cardinals, and goalkeeper Joe Catalfamo has started six matches.

Last Time Against St. John Fisher: The last time UC faced St. John Fisher was on September 23rd, 2017. The Pioneers lost 2-0 to the Cardinals at Growney Stadium that afternoon. Brian Norman and Bryan Rollins each puffed the net with Cardinal goals in the match.

Looking Ahead: The Pioneers will face Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at home. Match time is scheduled for 4 p.m.