Utica, NY - The Utica College men's soccer team is set to host Berkeley College this Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Last Time Out: The Pioneers notched their second consecutive win on Monday night on the road against SUNY Purchase by a score of 1-0. Utica set the tone in this one early when freshman Jhonny Theze (Bronx, NY/Claremont International) fired a rocket into the goal from 35 yards out to give his team a 1-0 lead that it would hold for the duration. The Purchase goalie got a hand on the shot, but the velocity of it off the foot of Theze powered it to the back of the net. Senior Ethan Thomas was credited with the assist, making it his first of the year. Junior goalie Randy Miksch (Lake Villa, IL/Warren Township) also continued his very impressive 2019 campaign, posting a seven-save night and his fifth shutout of the season.

Top Spot: Heading into Saturday's game against Elmira, the two teams were tied for second place in the Empire 8. With the win, the Pioneers advanced to 2-0-1 in conference play and took the top spot that was previously held by Nazareth.

Comeback Kings: Last time out, the Pioneers showcased an impressive 3-2 comeback victory over Elmira to advance to 7-2-2 on the season. Facing a 1-0 deficit coming out of the half, senior Thomas Muller found the back of the net off a centering pass from junior Patrick Hynes (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem) to even the game at one. Sophomore Jahren James (River Vale, NJ/Pascack Valley) took the first lead of the game for the Pioneers 1:43 later, sneaking a goal in the top right corner on a free kick from 25 yards out. Playing from behind for the first time all afternoon, Elmira responded in the 83rd minute when Nick Provost scored off of a corner kick to even the score once again at two. Utica responded again five minutes later, when James notched his second goal of the game to give the Pioneers a 3-2 lead that they would hold for the rest of the game.

Chasing History: A win Wednesday night would mark the first time the Pioneers started the season winning nine of its first 13 games. UC made history on Monday night, notching eight wins in the first 12 games for the first time since 2010 and only the second time in program history.

Conference Leaders: Freshman Jhonny Theze (Bronx, NY/Claremont International) is currently tied for sixth in the league in goals with five, and also shares the No. 4 spot for assists in the league with junior Patrick Hynes (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem) with four each thus far. Senior Adnan Bakalovic (Utica, NY/Proctor High School) sits right behind Theze and Hynes with three assists. Theze also has the fifth-most points in the E8 as well with 14, making him the only Pioneer to appear in the top 10 of this statistical category.

Inaugural Matchup: This will mark the first time Utica has played Berkeley in program history.

Quiet Contributions: Outside of senior goalkeeper Randy Miksch (Lake Villa, IL/Warren Township), Hynes is the only Pioneer to log more than 1000 minutes this year with 1031.

Clean Sweep: The Pioneers swept Empire 8 accolades last week, with Miksch taking home Defensive Player of the Week honors while Theze was awarded Offensive Player of the Week. Over a three-game span, Miksch allowed only on goal en route to leading the Pioneers to two victories. Theze was also a key contributor in these wins as well, posting the lone goal against SUNY ESF on a penalty kick and then adding another goal and two assists in a 3-1 victory over Fisher on Saturday.

Scouting Berkeley: The Knights currently sit atop the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a 8-4-2 overall record while going a perfect 3-0 in conference play. Berkeley has showcased some very successful teams as of late, posting winning records in the last two seasons. They are on pace to do the same this season. Sophomore Amadou Sy leads the team in every offensive category, posting a 15-goal, four-assist, 34-point stat line.

Up Next: The Pioneers stay at home for an Empire 8 matchup against Nazareth on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.