CAZENOVIA, NY - The Utica University men's soccer team started their 2022 season on the right foot with a thunderous non-conference win. After falling behind 1-0, the Pioneers ripped off four goals in a row to cruise past host Cazenovia College by a 4-1 score in Cazenovia. 

The Pioneers open the season at 1-0, while Caz is 0-1 to open their campaign. 

Midfielder Cody Baker-Green (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) was the man of the match for the Pioneers offensively with a pair of goals to start his junior season. Junior forward Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) and sophomore forward Orin Williams (Mt. Vernon, NY/Sacred Heart) had a goal apiece. Mugushu and Brady Barnard (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) were each credited with an assist. Goalkeeper Foti Xidias (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) stopped five of six shots in the win. 

The Pioneers out-shot the Wildcats 14-6 on the goal frame and earned seven corner kicks in the match. 

Scoring opened in the nineteenth minute on a goal by Cazenovia's Maxwell Hall. Said Sadaden collected the assist on the goal for the home side. 

From there, the Pioneers established control in short order. The visiting team netted a pair of goals just 3:15 apart to secure a halftime lead they would not relinquish. Cody Green banged in the equalizer to the upper-right corner off an assist from Barnard at 24:45, and Mugushu put the Pioneers ahead with his marker at the dawn of the 29th minute for a 2-1 lead at the break. 

Utica extended its lead in the second half to open a comfortable advantage. Mugushu set up Green's second tally in the 69th minute, and Orin Williams (Mt. Vernon, NY/Sacred Heart) sent the ball into the upper right corner in the 81st minute to polish off a 4-1 win. 

The Pioneers return to the pitch on Saturday, September 10th at SUNY Poly. The home opener will take place on Wednesday, September 14th against SUNY Delhi.