HOUGHTON, NY - From their Empire 8 Conference opener, the Utica University Men's Soccer team will be bringing home a point for the standings table, thanks to two first-time goal scorers in the 2025 season. Carter Cookinham (Poland, NY/Poland) and Felix-Assa Loselose (Syracuse, NY/Nottingham) featured with goals as the Pioneers earned a fourth result across the last five matches with a 2-2 draw against host Houghton University.

The Pioneers are 3-2-1 overall, and 0-0-1 in conference. The Highlanders are 1-4-1 overall with an identical conference record to Utica's after Saturday's match.

Both teams finished with four shots on the goal frame, with Utica's Zachary Accetta (Rocky Point, NY/Rocky Point) making two saves. Houghton's Pedro Ruz Welker and Joshua Smith had a save apiece for the home side.

Houghton opened the scoring in the fourth minute with Samuel Edwards landing the opening salvo for the home eleven. The Pioneers rallied at the close of the half in the 45th minute, with Carter Cookinham (Poland, NY/Poland) bringing the visiting squad level on the first goal of his collegiate career to knot the score at one apiece.

Early in the second half, the Pioneers surged ahead as Felix-Assa Loselose (Syracuse, NY/Nottingham) found the back of the woodwork in the 57th minute. Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) picked up the assist. Utica quite nearly took home the entirety of the three points as they held the lead to the closing moments, but Edwards struck a second time for the Highlanders to polish off a 2-2 scoreline.

The Pioneers will visit St. John Fisher for another E8 tilt on Wednesday, September 24th. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.