UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's soccer team returned to Casamento Field on Saturday afternoon for the first time since the Fall of 2024. In a midday matchup against Marywood, it was a Pioneer player who hadn't seen the field since the Fall of 2023 who ended up making the difference, as Byamungu Mugushu (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) donned the Moose for the first time in multiple years, making a swift return as he netted two goals to capture a brace in a big 5-2 victory. 

In addition to Mugushu's magic in front of net, the rest of the Pioneers also pitched in during a complete win, as the team controlled possession throughout and ripped the cord three more times during the game. Martin Mendoza (Walden, NY/The Mount Academy), Ervin Ruznic (Utica, NY/Mohawk Valley Community College (NJCAA)), and rookie Henry Schweitzer (Clinton, NY/Clinton) rounded out the scoring for the Pioneers in their five-goal barrage. Schweitzer also added an assist on the first goal by Mugushu, only beat out in the assist column by Joe Cavallo, who picked up two playmakers off of two separate corner kicks. 

The Pioneer formation held strong and retained it's structure throughout, as the visiting Pacers only managed two shots in the match. This led Utica to outshoot the opposition by a 19-2 margin, beating them out in shots on goal by a 9-2 gap. The Pioneers also found the corner often during the contest, securing nine attempts from the flag as opposed to just two by Marywood. Thanks to Cavallo, the Pioneers managed to turn two of those opportunities into scores. 

Thanks to their superior ball control, the Pioneers captured a 5-2 win, improving their record to 2-1 as they head towards a meeting with Hobart next week. 

Game Summary: 

Naturally, the air surrounding Mugushu's return was one of curious optimism, as many wondered how he would fit in with the squad after his one-year hiatus. Needless to say, those doubts were put to rest almost instantly when he grabbed his first goal of 2025 in the 9th minute of play. Schweitzer intercepted a misplay in the Pacers' defensive third, driving toward net and then laying the ball off at the edge of the box. Mugushu then used a burst of speed to run onto the ball, playing it by a pair of defenders with his right before landing the finish with his left to make it 1-0. Mugushu also celebrated the ice-breaker with his patented acrobatic backflip, officially re-introducing himself to the world of Division III soccer.

Mere minutes after the opening score, the Pioneers doubled their advantage. Schweitzer once again found the ball on the left side of the defense, however, on this trip he would go it alone, using some shifty footwork to get the Pacer defense off balance before bending the ball in with a curving right-footed shot at the back post. The Section III product made made it a 2-0 game, a scoreline which would hold until halftime. 

Marywood found the first big opportunity of the second half shortly after the restart, although, their one goal advantage wouldn't hold for very long, as a handball outside the box by the Pacer goalkeeper led to an immediate red card and a prime chance from right outside the box. Mount Academy graduate Martin Mendoza (Walden, NY/The Mount Academy) took the ensuing free kick, blasting it by the newly-entered Marywood keeper to make it 3-1. 

The Pioneers would continue to pour it on from there, with the team clicking on all different levels and effectively exploiting the 10-man Marywood side. 

In the 62nd minute, the Pioneers earned another set piece opportunity in the Pacer's defensive half, with Cavallo stepping up to provide service. Cavallo's kick found the head of Mugushu in the middle of the box, who placed it off the near post and in to notch his second score of the afternoon. 

In the 77th minute, Marywood would once again pull one back. Despite that, the Pioneers got their revenge almost instantly, achieving another goal on the very next corner kick following the opposing score. Once again, it was Cavallo serving the ball in, although this time he sent it to an open Ruznic on the near post. Ruznic then sent a screamer at net, one which spurted under the outstretched arms of the goalie and then into the net to bring the game to its final score of 5-2. 

The Pioneers would dominate possession for the remaining 20 minutes, pulling away to secure a big weekend win.