ELMIRA, NY - Utica University's men's soccer team hit the road for its final regular season matchup, taking on the Elmira College Soaring Eagles. The home squad netted two first-half goals, riding the 2-0 lead through the final whistle. The result ends Utica's unbeaten streak at seven games, the longest since the 2010 season. The orange and blue closed the regular season at 9-6-2 overall and 7-3-1 in conference, with a First Round home game in the Empire 8 Tournament already clinched.
Utica had a slight edge in total shot attempts (14-11), but both squads managed five on target. Mao Nkurunziza (Syracuse, NY/Nottingham) was the only Pioneer with a second shot on goal, with each of Joesph Cavallo, Felix-Assa Loselose (Syracuse, NY/Nottingham), and Carter Cookinham (Poland, NY/Poland) accounting for one. Zachary Accetta (Rocky Point, NY/Rocky Point) stood in net for the orange and blue, saving three shots.
The Pioneers were firing early, earning a corner kick just 1:01 into play. Within the opening four minutes, Utica had put two shots on goal, and another of the crossbar. The Soaring Eagles responded with a flurry of their own, earning each of the next four corner kickuntil Adam Tufton finished a pass from Jose Corporan at the 20:24 mark to establish the game's first lead. The defense started locking down after the opening score with just three combined shot attempts coming in the remaining time before the break. Nkurunziza put on on target for the Pioneers before Corporan scored a goal of his own with 4:45 before halftime. Cookinham attempted a shot with 29 seconds left, but the break came with a 2-0 Elmira lead.
Utica came out hungry in the second half, attempt four shots in the first 8:01 after play resumed. The Soaring Eagles attempted each of the next five of their own, only one requiring an Accetta stop. The orange and blue closed the game with four of the remaining five shot attempts, but no more goals for either side brought a 2-0 final.
The Pioneers will now begin a postseason push, hosting an Empire 8 Tournament First Round game next Saturday, October 31st. With seeding not yet officially finalized, Utica's opponent and kickoff time have not yet been determined, but they can finish no worse than third. Be sure to follow Utica Athletics on social media, and check uticapioneers.com for information on the postseason as it becomes available!
