UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's soccer team draws 2-2 with the SUNY Morrisville Mustangs on Saturday afternoon.
 
Martin Mendoza (Walden, NY/The Mount Academy) led Utica with three shots on goal, one of them finding the back of the net. Anderson Velazquez (Norwood, NY/Marble Hill) notched a goal of his own, and Noah Nassberg (Naples, FL/Gulf Coast) recorded the team's only assist. All three players currently lead Utica with three points each, while Velazquez leads the way with 10 shots. Morrisville committed 11 fouls compared to Utica's seven.
 
Foti Xidias (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) started in goal for Utica, collecting three saves. Zero in the first and three in the second.
 
The Pioneers jumped out to a hot start in the first half, collecting seven shots compared to Morrisville's zero. Mendoza struck first, giving Utica an early 1-0 lead only 13 minutes into the match. Nassberg connected with Mendoza on a beautiful header to give the team an early lead. Only 12 minutes later, Velazquez scored, giving the Pioneers a 2-0 advantage. Only three corner kicks were taken in the half, two from Utica and one by Morrisville.
 
Both of the Mustang's goals came in the second half, with the first score being a penalty kick from Javier Duarte at the eight-minute mark. Utica and Morrisville traded blows throughout the half as the Pioneers had four shots and three saves and the Mustangs had eight shots and two saves. With seven minutes left, Morrisville evened the match at two on an assist from Jesse Otu, ultimately leading to a 2-2 draw.
 
Utica (0-1-2, 0-0 Empire 8) travels to SUNY Oneonta on Wednesday, September 11 at 4 p.m.