UTICA, NY - The Utica University's men's soccer team will continue its four-game homestand as the Pioneers take on the Medaille University Mavericks this Saturday at 1 p.m. for the first Empire 8 meeting between the programs.
Follow Along: Those unable to attend can tune in with live video and/or stats at https://bit.ly/2wtxUV5.
Last Time Out: The team began Empire 8 Conference action with a 3-0 win over the Alfred University Saxons at home on Saturday. The Pioneers started the first half pushing the pace, keeping Alfred away from its offensive end. Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) drew first blood for Utica after his initial shot attempt was saved by Saxons goalkeeper Jon Nadolne before gathering the ball with nothing but daylight ahead and finding the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage. Mugushu would not be satisfied with one goal for his stat line. In the 39th minute, Noah Nassberg (Naples, FL/Gulf Coast ) hit Mugushu in stride as he sped past Nadolne and avoided a sliding stop attempt by an Alfred defender for his fifth goal of the season and a 2-0 lead. The Pioneers out-shot the Saxons 13-4 in the first half while drawing three corner kicks to one by the visiting team. Utica remained in control offensively in the second half, out-shooting Alfred 12-8 while finishing with a 4-0 edge in corner kicks. The final Utica goal came on a Cody Baker-Green (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) penalty kick conversion, his second in as many games and his fifth goal of the season, which gave the team a 3-0 lead in the 52nd minute. Foti Xidias (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) recorded his first shutout of the year while recording four saves. Mugushu accounted for a team-high seven shot attempts as well as four shots on goal followed by Brady Barnard (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) with five attempts and four out of Nassberg and Baker-Green each. As a unit, Utica out-shot Alfred 25-14 including 14-4 on goal.
Points Galore: The Pioneer's offensive attack is led by Cody Baker-Green (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) and Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) as both have had terrific seasons so far. Both are within the top-20 in NCAA Division III in points per game as Baker Green is 12th with 2.60 and Mugushu is tied for 20th with 2.40. Baker-Green has totaled 13 points with five goals and three assists through the five games. Mugushu has tallied 12 points and has five goals with two assists on the season, including two goals in his last game. Both have been focal points in Utica's offense and hope to continue their strong start to the season.
Co-player of the Week: Foti Xidias (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) was named Empire 8 Co-Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league on Monday. Xidias allowed just one goal for the Pioneers this weekend, lifting the team to a 2-0 weekend. Xidias' lone goal allowed came against SUNY Delhi while making three saves. He then recorded his first shutout of the season with four saves in the Pioneer's win over the Alfred University Saxons on Saturday. The junior goalkeeper has posted a 75 save percentage over five games played.
Scouting Medaille: The Mavericks are having a great start to the season and are 5-0-2 so far after recently beating Hilbert College 5-1 this past Monday. Ander Castillo has been a force and leads all of NCAA Division III with 11 goals in just seven games. Castillo has also tallied two assists and has accumulated 24 points already. The Mavericks have plenty of playmakers as Charlie Stewart has five goals and Samuel Wickins has four assists. Medaille has been a goalkeeper by committee as four different goalies have seen time in the net. Dante Gesamondo leads the team with 360 minutes and a .750 save percentage followed by David Mighten who has logged 209 minutes and sports a .571 save percentage.
Up Next: On Wednesday, September 28 the Pioneers will continue their homestand as they host Oswego State at 4 p.m. on Pioneer Field.
