UTICA, NY - Utica University's men's soccer team hosted the Oswego State Lakers in the squad's 2026 home opener, concluding the close, physical matchup with a 1-1 draw. Both teams traded penalty kick goals within a minute and a half of each other deep into the second half to establish the scoreline. The result moves both teams' 2026 record to 1-1-1. The Pioneers return to action on Wednesday, challenging a strong Hobart College Statesman team on the road.
The Utica offense turned it up a notch in today's matchup, taking 15 shots, two more than in their previous two games combined. Of these 15, eight were put on target, split between six separate Pioneers. The orange and blue's goal was scored by senior
Felix-Assa Loselose (Syracuse, NY/Nottingham) on a penalty kick. The Pioneers gave two goalkeepers an even split of the game, with
Zachary Accetta (Rocky Point, NY/Rocky Point) pulling the start and saving all three shots on target he faced in 45:00. Closing out the game was
Asim Gacic (Utica, NY/Thomas R. Proctor), who stopped two of his three shots and is credited with the draw.
Physicality was a major factor in the game, with action from the opening whistle, including three combined fouls within the first 2:26. The Lakers played with pressure in the first half, outshooting Utica 7-3 in the first 45:00. Aiding the Oswego attack were seven corner kicks by the visitors. The Pioneer defense stood tall, however, entering the halftime break tied 0-0, with strong halftime adjustments to come.
After falling in the shot battle early, Utica turned the tide in the back half, outshooting the visitors 12-6. Matching the Pioneers, Oswego also changed their goalkeeper during halftime, subbing in freshman Tykie Johnson, who played a major role in the final result. Of their eight total shots on goal, Utica took seven in the final 45:00, requiring several acrobatic saves by the debutee. Following a foul on a long ball into the goalfront area, Loselose took the penalty kick, sending it into the lower left corner 76:06 into the game. The momentum only sided with the Pioneers for so long, however, as 1:29 later, the Lakers evened the score again at 1-1. During a continued attack after a throw-in deep in Utica's defensive zone, a Laker was fouled inside the penalty area. Senior midfielder Ian Husselbeck took the penalty kick for the visitors, sending his shot inside the right post. The Lakers tried to continue to apply pressure, taking all four remaining shots in the game, but only one went on target, saved by Gacic.
Utica faces a quick turnaround, taking a trip to Geneva, NY to take on Hobart College. Opening kickoff is set for 4:30 pm at the Statesmen's Cozzens Field.
