UTICA, NY - Utica University's men's soccer traveled to face the Morrisville State Mustangs, winning by a score of 2-0. Despite Morrisville outshooting the Pioneers by a tally of 12-10, Utica was able to find more accuracy, recording six shots on goal to Morrisville's two. Utica now holds a 3-2 record before beginning conference play. The Mustangs fall to 2-2-1 on the season.

Nassberg and Mugushu both netted unassisted goals, scoring the only points of the game. Mugushu was one of just two multi-shot Pioneers on the night, joining freshman Henry Schweitzer (Clinton, NY/Clinton) with a three-shot, two-shot-on-goal stat line. Utica had two goalkeepers each see their first action of the season, as Asim Gacic (Utica, NY/Mohawk Valley Community College (NJCAA)) and Cade Tavares (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) both played one half of the game. Gacic played the first half, and both keepers each made one save.

Seven total players took a shot for Morrisville, with three of them recording multiple shots. Alieu Barrie and Toreed Adeyemi each took three shots, with Barrie recording one of the Mustangs' two shots on goal. Christ Fopossi accounted for the remaining shot on goal on his one shot attempt. Ronaldo Fatolou played in the net for Morrisville, stopping four of the six shots that came his way.

The Pioneers opened the scoring in the 26th minute off a rocket kick by senior captain Noah Nassberg (Naples, FL/Gulf Coast). Utica was awarded a free kick in their own half following a foul on an attempt to head the ball forward. From five yards past midfield, Nassberg kicked a deep ball at the penalty box that found the turf and just chipped over Morrisville's goalkeeper.

Utica extended their lead in the second half with a goal by Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) at the 65-minute mark. Midfielder Chase Abbott (Penfield, NY/Penfield) carried the ball down the right side sideline, sending a cross long across the field. Mugushu found possession, beating his defender and taking a shot from the top of the penalty box that found the bottom right corner of the net. 

Utica will take a week off before traveling to Houghton for their first Empire 8 Conference matchup of the season. The squad returns to Laura M. Casamento Field on Saturday, September 27th, to host the Elmira College Soaring Eagles in a 4:00 pm match.