Utica, NY- The Utica College men's soccer team kicks off the 2021 season with its home opener against St. John Fisher College. The Empire 8 conference match is scheduled for 1 PM at Utica's Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. 

Follow Along: Due to pre existing COVID-19 protocols, spectators are not permitted at Utica College sporting events. Live video and stats for all UC Home Games are available at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/utica/, and on the free Empire 8 apps. 

The Gaffers: Head Coach Brian Marcantonio returns for his 7th season leading the Pioneers eleven. Marcantonio has coached eighteen All-Conference selections, four first team All-Conference selections, two ECAC All-Stars, and one ECAC Defensive Player of the Month. He led a team to the Empire 8 Conference Tournament. Marcantonio led the squad to a winning season in 2019 with a 10-6-2 record, and the team posted six all conference selections. Nick Calo returns as well from the 2019 season. Calo brings the experience of being an athlete in the Empire 8 in his playing days, and the experience of a division I assistant coach for Stetson University along with the assistant coaching director for Orlando City Youth Soccer. 

Hungry for a Title: In the 2019 season, UC was making a promising run for the Empire 8 Conference Tournament. The Pioneers started off with a five game win streak, and had set their sights on taking it all the way. But unfortunate circumstances stepped in and a host of injuries played a role in leaving one of Utica's most talented teams just short of the postseason. A hungry group of returners seeks the next step this time around.

Jahren the Jet: Junior midfielder Jahren James (River Vale, NJ/Pascack Valley) returns this season to add to his impressive career. In the 2019 season, James has been a key player in Utica's defense and also in how they build up the attack. For much of last season, he was seen running to the left side of the field as the midfielder providing opportunities for UC's forwards, before getting moved to left back late in the season. With his impressive speed and ball control, James was able to provide support for the midfield and put himself in many scoring opportunities as well. James scored three goals and assisted two last season, and looks to continue his 2019 success. James had an assist in the team's last match of the 2019 season. 

Precision Pat: Senior Patrick Hynes (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem) has been a versatile component on the field for Utica. He has seen a variety of positions in his time at UC. Most recently, Hynes has found himself providing defensive support as an outside back, but his quick thinking and accurate passing give him the ability to run the midfield as well. He often finds himself running the wing and providing offensive width for the Pioneers, and sometimes inside the box to help finish a few goals. Hynes has appeared in 55 matches and has contributed six goals and six assists in his career. 

Danny's Dominance: Senior center back Daniel Varsames (Gansevoort, NY/Saratoga Springs) has served as a strong and vocal team captain for the last two seasons. Varsames stands as a strong central defender, and played an important role in five clean sheets last season. Over the last three seasons, he has logged a large amount of minutes at center back because of his incredible leadership skills and ability to read the field so well. Varsames has played in 52 competitions, and has earned a goal and an assist in his career so far. 

Clinical Caporale: Senior midfielder Zackery Caporale (Clermont, FL/South Lake) continues to be an attacking maestro on the field coming into the 2020 season. Caporale prides himself in his impressive ball skill and control, and tends to open up the field with his accuracy. Caporale has competed in 48 matches and has assisted three goals so far in his career.

Handy Randy: Senior goalkeeper Randy Miksch (Lake Villa, IL/Warren Township) returns for his last season with the Pioneers. Miksch has been remarkable in goal over the past two seasons, and his fearless play earned him second team All-Conference honors last season. Currently Miksch has contributed to five shutouts in 22 career appearances, and has accumulated 123 saves. He had an 81.7 percent save percentage in 2019. He was third in the conference with 67 saves, and fourth in goals allowed average last season. 

By The Numbers: Utica was second in the Empire 8 conference in scoring offense last year at 1.66 goals per match. The side was fifth in scoring defense at 1.56 goals conceded per contest. The squad was also awarded 98 corners during the season, which was the second-highest total in the conference. 

Newcomers: UC adds nine newcomers for the 2020 season. The Pioneers welcome Damian Bruce (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) and Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) as forwards for the team. Austin McCarthy (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), Cody Green (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley), Ian Winchell (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville), and Brady Barnard (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) will be the young guns in the midfield. Utica also takes in one new defender in Colin Lewis (Claremont, NH/Kimball Union Academy), and two goalkeepers in Eduardo Paez (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) and Foti Xidias (Carteret, NJ/Carteret).

What's Next: The Pioneers play their first road match of the season on Friday, March 19th at Houghton College.