UTICA, NY- The Utica University men's soccer team opened its 2023 season with a 4-1 victory over Pittsburgh-Bradford Panthers on Saturday afternoon. 
 
Jalen Lucero () started his freshman campaign with one goal and two shots on goal in 32 minutes of play. Noah Nassberg (Naples, FL/Gulf Coast) was the only player to have a multi-point game with one goal and one assist. Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) and Adin Day (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy) each scored one goal, Day's being his first collegiate goal as well. 
 
Utica outshot the Panthers 34-3 on the afternoon including 13-2 on goal. With strong defense protecting him, Foti Xidias (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) earned the win with one save on his sheet playing the full 90 minutes. 
 
It didn't take long for the Pioneers to get the show started. Just 3:13 into the first half, Gavin Baxter (Ellenville, NY/Ellenville) fed Nassberg inside the box for a quick tally to put Utica up 1-0. In the 22nd minute, Nassberg recorded his second point of the day with a nice cross-pass to Mugushu who headed it in for his first goal of the season. His goal marked the fifth consecutive game with a tally for Mugushu dating back to last season. 
 
Four minutes later the Panthers responded with a penalty kick from Devin Stowe who stuck in to the back right corner to cut the lead to 2-1. 
 
The Pioneers' Day scored an unassisted goal in the 41st minute to bring Utica's lead back to two goals and ultimately take the contest into halftime with the team up 3-1. 
 
Utica started the second half hot thanks to Lucero putting the cherry on-top with an unassisted goal in the 47th minute. The Pioneers took their 4-1 advantage and carried it throughout the rest of the game to walk away with the season opening win. 
 
Utica (1-0, 0-0 Empire 8) will remain home on Sunday to host Plattsburgh State at 2 p.m.