UTICA, NY - The Utica University's men's soccer team will play its home opener when the Pioneers take on the SUNY Delhi Broncos this Wednesday at 4 p.m. Utica will then continue its four-game homestand playing Alfred University this Saturday at 2 p.m.
Follow Along: Those unable to attend either of the home games can tune in with live video and/or stats at
https://bit.ly/2wtxUV5.
Last Time Out: Last week the Pioneers wrapped up play against SUNY Cobleskill. On Sunday, the Utica University men's soccer team finished its three-game road trip with a 3-0 win at SUNY Cobleskill on Sunday afternoon. The Pioneers jumped out to a quick start with an early 2nd minute goal.
Brady Barnard (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) found
Cody Baker-Green (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) for what was Baker-Green's third goal of the season and a 1-0 Utica advantage. From there, the Pioneer defense held steady while
Eduardo Paez (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) played a perfect half in goal, saving one shot on four Cobleskill attempts for the score to remain 1-0 at halftime. Paez and
Foti Xidias (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) split time in goal, each keeping the Tigers scoreless while Paez had one save to two by Xidias in the second half.
Shots Leading to Goals: The Pioneers have been terrific at creating shots on goal this season. So far the team is second in the Empire 8 averaging a whopping 3.33 goals per game. The scoring burst is led by
Cody Baker-Green (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) and
Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) who are currently tied for fourth in the Empire 8 with three goals. Both have also been playmakers with two assists each and are both leading the team in points with eight.
Noah Nassberg (Naples, FL/Gulf Coast ) also found the back of the net in the 58th minute for his first career collegiate goal.
Stellar Goalkeeping: Eduardo Paez (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) and
Foti Xidias (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) each played a half in net and combined for a shutout. Xidias is top-five in the Empire 8 in saves per game with 3.67 and save percentage at .688. Xidias continues excellent goalkeeping play, and Paez played a great half making a save and contributing to the team's first shutout of the season.
About Delhi: The SUNY Delhi Broncos are currently 3-1 on the season after recently beating SUNY ESF 2-1 this past Sunday. The Broncos have a pair of playmakers in Michael Williams Jr. and Anthony Cuellar who leave their marks all over the game. Williams Jr. netted a pair of goals on three shots and Cuellar assisted two of the Broncos three goals. The Delhi defense continues to be strong and limit the amount of shots on goal in front of goalie Tucker Garrett.
A Deeper Look at Alfred: The Alfred University Saxons are currently 1-2-1 on the season after its recent 3-0 loss to Penn St. Harrisburg on Sunday. Alfred will play Buffalo State and SUNY Geneseo before clashing with the Pioneers. Midfielder Noam Sokolovsky has been a standout this season with three goals on four shots on goal. Joaquin Ghioldi-Acosta has been spreading the ball around this season for the Saxons with a team leading two assists. The Saxons have been a goalkeeper by committee as Daniel Koenig, Robert Mann, and Jon Nadolne have all split time at the position. Koenig leads the team with two starts and a .600 save percentage while Mann sports a .571 and Nadolne owns a .500.
Up Next: On Saturday, September 24th the Pioneers will continue their homestand as they host Medaille University at 4 p.m. on Pioneer Field.
