UTICA, NY - The Utica University's men's soccer team netted a pair of late goals to beat the Nazareth Golden Flyers 3-2.
 
The first half had plenty of offense by both teams as there were a combined 20 shots. Nazareth poured on the pressure early and had five shots within the first 10 minutes. The fifth shot resulted in a goal by Cuneyt Vardar (10th minute) to give the Golden Flyers a 1-0 advantage. The Pioneers would not give up as Cody Baker-Green (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley), Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes), and Noah Nassberg (Naples, FL/Gulf Coast ) would record at least one shot in the first half. After a blocked Mugushu shot, Nazareth was able to switch the field quickly and net another goal (33rd minute) giving them a 2-0 lead heading into the half.
 
Utica would come out firing as they were attacking hard with multiple shots in the first two minutes. After a blocked Mugushu shot, Baker-Green netted his eighth goal of the season which cut the lead in half (48th minute). The offenses continued firing as Foti Xidias (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) recorded four saves in the second half to keep the Pioneers within striking distance. In the 88th minute, Mugushu hit the post which resulted in two corner kicks and the eventual game-tying goal by Nicholas Theimer (Flagstaff, AZ/Flagstaff). In less than a minute later, Utica was pressuring again and Noah Scranton (Utica, NY/Whitesboro ) rocketed the game-winning goal with just two seconds left (90th minute). The miraculous comeback led the Pioneers to a 3-2 victory in a very offensive game.
 
The comeback was extraordinary and fueled by the entire team, especially its top two goal scorers. Baker-Green's eighth goal of the season puts him second in the Empire 8 in goals this season. Mugushu's constant pressure and shots were able to open up opportunities for the team such as corner kicks and rebound shots. Yet, it was the younger Pioneers who were able to come through late as both Theimer and Scranton netted their first collegiate goals and could not have come at a better time for the Pioneers. In goal, Xidias played a flawless second half gathering four saves to keep Nazareth off the board and eight for the game.
 
Utica (5-2-1, 2-0-1 Empire 8) will travel to Clinton, NY on Tuesday to face Hamilton at 4:30 p.m.