Utica, NY -- The Utica College men's soccer team is returning home to host two matches this weekend. The Pioneers are scheduled to face SUNY Cobleskill on Saturday at 5 p.m. and Oswego State on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Last Time Out: Utica (1-2) is coming off a 2-0 loss against Clarkson University last Wednesday. Goalkeeper Jonathan Side (Plattsburgh, NY/Plattsburgh) made seven saves out of the nine shots on goal by Clarkson in the game. Senior Nicolas Diaz (Commack, NY/Commack) led the Pioneers with three shots, placing all of them on frame.
Players in the Ranks: Senior Julian Fonseca (Rocky Hill, CT/Bridgton) is currently tied in second for goals scored in the Empire 8 with two goals and is also tied for second with a total of five points. He scored a goal for the Pioneers in each of the first two games of the season and notched one assist against D'Youville. Side's 13 saves in net currently puts him in first in saves within the E8.
Shots fired: UC is outshooting their opponents with 36 (20 on goal) to 28 (17 on goal) shots so far this season. The Pioneers are third in the Empire 8 for shot attempts and shots on goal. Fonseca leads the team with nine shots (five on goal) followed by junior Tucker Marvin (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) with eight shots (four on goal). The team will look to outshoot its opponents this weekend once again.
Scouting SUNY Cobleskill: The Fighting Tigers are currently 0-1 this season. They lost 3-0 in their first game against Bard College last Friday (Aug 31). UC faced SUNY Cobleskill last season at home, earning the 1-0 win over the Fighting Tigers. Salvatore Cabibbo (Port Chester, NY/Port Chester) was the goal scorer for the Pioneers.
Scouting Oswego State: The Lakers are 1-1 so far this season, coming off a 2-0 loss against Hamilton last Tuesday. Utica is currently 0-1-1 against Oswego State after losing to the Lakers the last time they met. In 2015 the Pioneers fell 2-0 to Oswego State, as Alex Sestak scored both goals in the match. The Lakers are scheduled to face SUNY Cobleskill Friday night, before matching up with UC over the weekend.
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers will go on the road against SUNY Canton on Wednesday, September 12th. Game time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
