UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's soccer team beat Nazareth College 1-0 on Tuesday night in the Empire 8 Tournament First Round.
 
The first half saw both teams fighting hard for possession and it took a while for the teams to settle down. Once settled, Nazareth dictated the first half outshooting Utica 12-5 and had some very excellent shots on target. However, Pioneers goalkeeper Foti Xidias (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) made a few fantastic saves to keep the game scoreless. Xidias' stellar save came in the 19th minute in which he was able to slide to the right of the net and deny a close range shot with just one hand. Utica's Noah Nassberg (Naples, FL/Gulf Coast) registered all of the shots for the team in the first half as his motor was creating opportunities, yet the team was unable to break the tie. The match remained scoreless at the end of the first half.
 
The second half was phenomenal for the Pioneers as the team was much more aggressive and kept possession of the ball. The team came out firing as in the 46th minute, Nico Leonard (Long Beach Township, NJ/Southern Regional) sent a beautiful pass to Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) that he fired into the bottom right corner of the net for a 1-0 Utica lead. The team kept pressuring as two Brandon Pender (Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian) shots were blocked just one minute later. Nazareth would rally as the team was attacking and fired off two shots and two corner kicks between the 50 and 60 minute marks of the match. The Pioneers kept pressuring and Orin Williams (Mt. Vernon, NY/Sacred Heart) nearly put in goal, yet a Golden Flyers defender would clear the ball at the last second. The Golden Flyers had a few opportunities late, yet the Pioneer defense would hold strong and hold onto the lead and win the match 1-0.
 
The Pioneers second half adjustments paid dividends as the team was able to break through and hold on for a 1-0 win. Nassberg played terrific with five shots and his high motor saw him giving his all for every possession. Mugushu scored the game's lone goal on his one shot off of Leonard's assist. In net, Xidias played unbelievable with four outstanding saves to keep the Golden Flyers off of the scoreboard and help the Pioneers advance to the next round of the Empire 8 Tournament. 
 
Utica (8-8-1, 4-4-1 Empire 8) will travel to face top-seeded St. John Fisher University at 7:30 p.m. in the Empire 8 Tournament Semifinals.