UTICA, NY- The Utica College men's soccer team picked up its second straight shutout Tuesday as it downed visiting SUNY Potsdam 2-0 in non-conference action.
 
With the win, Utica improves to 4-1-1 and looks to carry its momentum into the first Empire 8 Conference contest of the season Saturday at Houghton College.  Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
 
The Pioneers wasted little time getting things going as Patrick Hynes (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem) found the back of the net just two minutes into the game.  Hynes collected a ball towards the right sideline 40 yards out from the goal. His centering feed was stopped by a defender, but Hynes gathered the ball and fired a shot from the top of the box that bent its way inside the left post for his second of the season. 
 
The score remained the same until the 76^th minute when freshman Jhonny Theze (Bronx, NY/Claremont International) netted his second of the season. Jahren James (River Vale, NJ/Pascack Valley) sent a pass from the left side near the end line that dropped at the six yard line right in front of the goal.  Sean Weaver (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) redirected it to a wide open Theze off the right post who played the ball into the empty net. 
 
Once again the Pioneer defense and Randy Miksch (Lake Villa, IL/Warren Township) held strong.  Miksch, the reigning Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week, finished with five saves for his second straight shutout.  His counterpart, Conor Callan made eight saves in the loss.