Men's Soccer | 10/20/2021 9:43:00 PM
UTICA, NY - Backed by early offense and strong defense throughout the game, the Utica College men's soccer team blanked Keuka College 3-0 at home on Wednesday night. Utica improves to 4-2 in league play and has clinched a berth in the upcoming Empire 8 Championship Tournament, which begins on Nov. 1.
Utica applied pressure early in the game, firing off the first two shots in the opening eight minutes before Ramazani Juma found the back of the net in the 11th minute off of a Byamungu Mugushu assist to give UC a 1-0 lead.
In the 19th minute, Jacob Sherline fired the ball down field to a wide open Juma who beat the goalkeeper for his second goal of the game and his third of the season, bringing the score to 2-0 in favor of the Pioneers.
Sory Konate then connected for his fourth goal of the season in the 30th minute off of a Nick Webster pass to take a convincing 3-0 lead. From there, the Pioneers failed to score again however, they kept offensive control throughout the remainder of the first period as well as the entire second period, outshooting Keuka 20-5 on the game, including 10-2 in the second period.
Foti Xidias recorded four saves in 72 minutes on his way to his fifth win of the season while Eduardo Paez made one save in 17 minutes in goal for UC. Juma attempted a team high four shots while Konate, Brady Maloney, Cody Baker-Green and Michael Bernardo each attempted two shots.
UC (7-5-2, 4-2 Empire 8) will travel to Albany on Saturday for a 6 p.m. game against the Sage Gators.