Utica, NY -- The Utica College men's soccer team will head to Rochester, NY this Saturday to face Nazareth College in an Empire 8 Conference matchup. The game is set to start at 1 p.m.
Last Time Out: The Pioneers are currently 3-5-1 (0-2 Empire 8) this season after recently defeating the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. UC won, 1-0, in double overtime Tuesday against the visiting Panthers to get back on track. Freshman Colin McCarthy (Vestal, NY/Vestal) headed in the game winning goal to secure UC's victory, and record the first collegiate goal of his career. Utica outshot ACPHS 26-2 throughout the game and did not allow its opponent a single opportunity to shoot during extra time.
Stats Leaders: Senior Julian Fonseca (Rocky Hill, CT/Bridgton) is tied for the lead in the Empire 8 Conference with 26 shots and is tied for second in goals scored (4). Junior Thomas Muller (Camillus, NY/Bishop Ludden) is currently the assist leader for the Pioneers, with two on the season. The Pioneers are currently outshooting their opponents 106 to 92 this fall.
Protecting the Net: Junior Jonathan Side (Plattsburgh, NY/Plattsburgh) leads the team and the Empire 8 with 48 saves and saves per game (6.0), and is third for most shutouts (2). Teammate Randy Miksch (Lake Villa, IL/Warren Township) has one start in net, which resulted in a shutout victory where he made one save.
Scouting Nazareth: The Golden Flyers are 6-2-1 overall (1-0-1 Empire 8) this season and they are currently ranked second in the Empire 8 Conference Standings. They are led by Sam Smyth who is tied for second in the conference with four goals. Zein Mohamed (5) and Jake Adams (4) rank first and second respectively in total assists within the E8. Nazareth is riding the momentum of a three-game winning streak, after defeating Morrisville, and has not surrendered a goal in the last four matches.
Against Nazareth: UC is currently 2-3 against Nazareth in the last five years. Last season when these two teams met, the Pioneers lost 3-0 to the Golden Flyers. Zach Titus, Josh Crespo and Matt Gasbarre were Nazareth's goal scorers of the game, as Utica looks to even the score on Saturday.
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers will return home next Wednesday to take on Hamilton College in a non-conference battle at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
