UTICA, NY - Utica University's men's soccer team challenged local rival Hamilton College in a road contest, the Pioneers' second of the season. The orange and blue kept the game competitive throughout, even entering the second half scoreless, but a high-pressure Hamilton attack broke through with two quick goals to hold on to a 2-0 victory at home. The Pioneers will now look to jump back to the win column in the squad's home opener on Monday against Oswego State.
Utica's attack was led by a trio of seniors. Captains
Mason Bucher (Rocky Point, NY/Rocky Point) and
Joseph Cavallo (Cornwall, NY/Cornwall Central) were the only multi-shot Pioneers, attempting three and two shots, respectively. In addition, each player put on a shot on target to account for Utica's two total.
Evan Smith (Baldwinsville, NY/Baker) attempted the remaining Pioneer shot. Fellow senior
Zachary Accetta (Rocky Point, NY/Rocky Point) played the full 90:00 in net, saving three attempts by the Continentals.
Neither team could break through in the first half, with Hamilton applying pressure throughout. The Continentals attempted numerous shots early, tallying four attempts by the 7:43 mark. Hamilton had another two shot attempts sandwiched around the 14:00 mark, before Bucher took Utica's first shot at 22:20. Just over a minute later, Cavallo accounted for the orange and blue's first shot on target. The home squad attempted two more shots during the 31st and 38th minutes, before Bucher took Utica's second and final shot on target with just under four minutes left in the half.
Hamilton came out of the halftime break and continued to apply early pressure. Five and a half minutes into the half, the Continentals' Troy Miller struck to break the 0-0 tie, coming off a pass from Sean Curran. Utica attempted to shake the goal off and strike back quickly, even earning a corner kick just over two minutes later, but it was Hamilton that struck again next. At the 55:20 mark, 4:50 after the previous score, Miller added another to complete his brace. Assists were credited to Oliver Mylon and Adam Molusis. The quick back-to-back scores established the 2-0 lead that would hold over the remainder of the game.
The Pioneers return to action shortly, facing Oswego State this coming Monday, September 7th. The game marks Utica's 2026 home opener, with opening kickoff set for 4:00 pm at Casamento Field.
