UTICA, NY - Utica University's men's soccer faced off with the Hobart College Statesmen, falling by a score of 1-2. Hobart dominated possession in the match, keeping Utica on the back foot throughout. The Pioneers return to a .500 winning percentage with a 2-2 record while the Statesmen continue their undefeated start to the season, extending the streak to four games.

Utica totaled five shots in the contest, split between three separate players, who each put one of their shots on goal. Junior Mason Bucher (Rocky Point, NY/Rocky Point) scored Utica's lone goal on his only shot in the game, assisted by Noah Nassberg (Naples, FL/Gulf Coast) and Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes). Mugushu took one of Utica's shots, with Joseph Cavallo (Cornwall, NY/Cornwall Central) taking the final shot on goal. Goalkeeper Zachary Accetta (Rocky Point, NY/Rocky Point) was called upon often, facing nine shots and saving seven of them.

Of Hobart's 18 total shots, 10 of them were put on target. Statesman Brady Leitner accounted for half of the shots on goal, scoring both of Hobart's goals. Griffin Coutts and Daniel Spataro each tallied one primary assist on the Leitner goals. Five separate Statesmen had one shot on goal to account for the 10 total. Tommy Chyzowych started his third game of the season for Hobart, saving two shots.

The Pioneers opened the scoring just before the 15-minute mark. Mugushu controlled the ball in the midfield before feeding Nassberg into the penalty area on a long pass. Hobart's keeper started moving toward Nassberg to cut down the shot angles, allowing Nassberg to find Bucher on a cross-crease pass. With the keeper across the net, Bucher was able to knock home the leading goal and score the first tally of the season against the Statesmen in their 285th total minute of play. Bucher's scoring play was the final shot attempted of the game for Utica.

Leitner scored both goals for Hobart, tying the game 1-1 at the 35-minute mark. His tying goal was assisted by Spataro. Utica faced continued pressure in the second half, including four shots and four Hobart corner kicks, with Leitner finding the back of the net for the second time in the game. After a scramble following a corner kick, Coutts gained possession of the ball and found Leitner for his second assist of the season. 

Utica will travel to Morrisville on Saturday, the 13th, for a 7:30 pm bout with the Mustangs. Their Morrisville matchup is the first of three consecutively scheduled road games, including the team's first two Empire 8 games. The squad will return to Laura M. Casamento Field on Saturday, September 27th, to host the Elmira College Soaring Eagles in a 4:00 pm match.