UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's soccer team prepares for its road matchup against SUNY Delhi on Tuesday, September 19 at 4 p.m.
 
Follow Along: Delhi will provide live video here and live stats here. 
 
Last Time Out: The Utica University men's soccer team opened Empire 8 play on Saturday against the Elmira College Soaring Eagles in a match that ended in a scoreless draw. Both teams had three shots on goal in the contest while Nicholas Theimer (Flagstaff, AZ/Flagstaff) had two for the Pioneers and Cody Baker-Green (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) had one. Utica led total shots 10-8. Eduardo Paez (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) totaled three saves in goal for the Pioneers. In what was a chippy contest, Elmira committed 16 fouls to Utica's 11 and drew a pair of yellow cards to one for the Pioneers (Noah Nassberg (Naples, FL/Gulf Coast), 27th minute). Utica outshot the Soaring Eagles 8-2 in the first half and drew three corners to one for Elmira over the first 45 minutes of play but could not find the back of the net. Elmira gained more momentum in its offensive zone in the second half, leading shots 6-2. The Pioneers' scoring chances in the first came on a shot by Baker-Green in the 19th minute as well as a header by Theimer in the 35th minute. Theimer had the team's lone shot on goal in the second half which came in the 64th minute. 
 
Where We Stand: The Pioneers opened up Conference play with a draw against Elmira on Saturday, September 16. The team will face Hamilton College on Wednesday, September 27 and Hobart College on Tuesday, October 17 in its remaining non-conference games. Utica's remaining Empire 8 opponents include Nazareth University, Hartwick College, St. John Fisher University, Russell Sage College, Houghton University, Alfred University, and Keuka College in that order. The Pioneers will host Nazareth on Saturday, September 30, Russell Sage on Wednesday, October 11, and Keuka on Wednesday, October 25 to conclude the regular season.
 
Stepping Up: Eduardo Paez (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) stepped up with a big week against No. 13 ranked SUNY Oneonta and Elmira College. Against Oneonta he faced 20 shots, making five saves and allowing just three goals. The senior then followed this up with a shutout against Elmira as he faced eight shots and made three saves to lower his goals against average to just 1.47 goals against average.
 
Setting up the Offense: Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) has been creating plenty of scoring opportunities for the Pioneers this season. The senior leads the Empire 8 with 21 shots this season and is top-ten in shots on goal (10), goals (4) and points (9) while also adding one assist. Noah Nassberg (Naples, FL/Gulf Coast) has also been a premier player on offense with ten shots this season including one goal and one assist. Utica's midfield has done well at pushing the ball forward as Gavin Baxter (Ellenville, NY/Ellenville), Cody Baker-Green (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley), Anderson Velazquez (Norwood, NY/Marble Hill), and Joseph Cavallo (Cornwall, NY/Cornwall Central) each have one assist thus far.
 
Historic Success: The Pioneers are a perfect 3-0 against SUNY Delhi in program history and look to continue that success. The last two games have been low scoring ending in 1-0 and 2-1 Pioneer victories. In their last outing on September 14, 2022 it was a scoreless first half before Brandon Pender (Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian) struck first, yet Delhi tied the game in the 64th minute. Baker-Green's 68th minute penalty kick sealed the win for Utica.
 
Scouting Delhi: The Broncos are 3-2-1 to begin this season after falling 1-0 in its last match to SUNY Poly on Saturday, September 16. Roberto Velasquez-Osorio is off to a scorching start with five goals and ten points on 20 shots this season. He has been the focal point of the team's offense while Anthony Cuellar is another player to look out for with two goals and one assist so far this season. Jonathan Walch has started all six games and sports a 3-2-1 record with three shutouts this season. Walch has been phenomenal in net allowing just three goals this season and sports an incredible .870 save percentage with 20 saves.

Up Next: The team will host Hamilton College on Wednesday, September 27 at 4:30 p.m.