UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's soccer team is set to begin another busy week with a pair of home games. The team will host SUNY Oneonta on Wednesday, September 13 at 7 p.m. under the lights and then host Elmira College on Saturday, September 16 at 1 p.m. and honor its seniors. 
 
Last Time Out: 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.
 
Follow Along: Those unable to attend either home game can tune in for live video and/or stats here.
 
Farewell Tour: Utica will host a brief ceremony before the game honoring its nine seniors on Saturday including Roberto Torralba (Bronx, NY/Bronx Collaborative), Foti Xidias (Carteret, NJ/Carteret), Austin McCarthy (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes), Anderson Velazquez (Norwood, NY/Marble Hill), Brady Barnard (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool), Cody Baker-Green (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley), Ian Winchell (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville), Eduardo Paez (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester), and Giovanni Fornino (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford). 
 
Team Success: The Pioneers have been terrific this season and rank in the top half of the Empire 8 in shots, points, goals, saves, and assists. Utica's offense has had no problem creating scoring opportunities with averaging a whopping 18.25 shots per game. This is fueled by Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) and Noah Nassberg (Naples, FL/Gulf Coast) who each have double-digit shots this season. In net, Foti Xidias (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) leads the conference with 19 saves this season and has done well under pressure facing more than 15 shots in three-straight games.
 
Mugushu Magic: Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) has earned Empire 8 Co-Offensive Player of the Week after he turned in a fantastic weekend scoring six points over the two games. The senior had a fantastic outing against SUNY Poly in which he scored a trio of goals including a whopping ten shots on goal. The Syracuse, NY native continues to be a force for the Pioneers leading the team in points, goals, and shots while ranking top-four in the conference in shots and points.
 
Scouting Oneonta: The Red Dragons continue to be a powerhouse after winning the SUNYAC Championship last season and making it to the third round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Oneonta is 4-0 this season and has outscored its opponents 11-0 including outshooting them 62 to 22. The duo of Milton Mancias Magana and Ali Somow lead the way offensively with each having three goals and one assist this season. In net, Nate Hanna sports a 4-0 record with three shutouts and five saves in the new season.
 
Looking at Elmira: The Soaring Eagles are 1-2-1 to begin the new campaign and fell to SUNY Geneseo 2-1 in its most recent match on Saturday, September 9. The team will clash with Oswego State on Wednesday, September 13 before facing Utica on Saturday, September 16. Martin Harguindey leads the offense with an Empire 8 leading five goals and is second in the conference with 10 points. In net, Asher Ellis and Juan Carlos Cruz Gandia have split time with each starting two games this season. The duo have been formidable, each boasting over a .500 save percentage with at least four saves this season.

Up Next: The team will travel to face SUNY Delhi on Tuesday, September 19 at 4 p.m.