CORTLAND, NY - The Utica University men's soccer team fell on the road to SUNY Cortland 3-0 on Sunday afternoon. 
 
It was a tough fought game with each team registering at least 16 fouls. The teams kept pushing the pace of play which led to many scoring opportunities. Cortland outshot the Pioneers 19-2, yet Utica nearly broke through when Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) fired one from thirty yards out that required a fantastic diving save by the Red Dragons goalkeeper to keep it from going in.
 
Cody Baker-Green (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) and Mugushu registered the best scoring chances for the Pioneers yet the Cortland defense held up. In net, Foti Xidias (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) made three saves while allowing three goals in just over 86 minutes of play. Eduardo Paez (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) closed out the game in net for Utica in his first appearance this season.
 
The Red Dragons played their best in the first half scoring their goals at the 17th, 40th, and 43rd minute. Yet the Pioneers defense stepped up in the second half allowing just six shots in the second half. Utica's offense had a few scoring opportunities in the second half yet could not convert.
 
Utica (2-2, 0-0 Empire 8) will host Oneonta State under the lights on Wednesday, September 13 at 7 p.m.