UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's soccer team loses a hard-fought battle to the nationally-ranked No. 13 SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons, 3-1, on Wednesday evening. 
 
The Pioneers' only two shots throughout the match were on net. Ryan Ching (Temple City, CA/Temple City) and Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) were responsible for those two shots - the two also paired for the team's lone goal after Mugushu found a cutting Ching. 
 
The Red Dragons outshot the Pioneers 20-2 and 8-2 on goal. Eduardo Paez (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) made his first start of 2023 in net for Utica and made five crafty saves to keep the score close. 
 
The teams spent the first 36 minutes battling in each other's offensive zones. In the 37th minute, Mugushu found Ching for his first collegiate goal on a lovely cross to put Utica up 1-0. The Pioneers continued to battle and created a few opportunities, but could not find the back of the net, as the team went to the half with a 1-0 lead. 
 
The second half saw the field open up as the teams fought sideline to sideline. Oneonta kept their foot on the gas not letting Utica get any wiggle room within their box. The Red Dragons picked up momentum and responded three times in the second half. Derek Marques scored twice (76th and 84th minutes) and Owen Siegel also capitalized on an assist by Magana Mancias in the 89th minute to escape with the road win. 
 
Utica (2-3, 0-0 Empire 8) will remain home and open Empire 8 play against Elmira College for Senior Day on Saturday at 1 p.m.