First Half Flurry Fells Men's Soccer vs. Utica

UTICA, N.Y. – Late goals in the first half set back the Wells College men's soccer team against Utica College on Sunday as the Express posted a 3-1 road loss. Wells falls to 2-3 overall on the year while Utica moves to 2-4 following the non-conference game.

All four of the game's goals came within a 6:21 span as the defenses broke down for both squads in the waning minutes of the first half. Raine Owens placed Utica ahead 1-0 at 38:33, heading home a crossing pass from Justin Schray for the first goal of the game. Wells countered, however, with senior Tyler Morris' (Maryland, N.Y.) first goal of the season, sent home off of a corner kick from sophomore Benjamen Schanbacher (Spencer, N.Y.).

With the score tied at one, Utica's Bita Gazashvili put Utica out in front for good by scoring the game's next two goals at 40:33 and 44:54, respectively. After chipping the ball home over the Wells goalkeepers' head for his first goal, Gazashvili scored after carrying the ball nearly the length of the field and eluding the last Wells defender for the strike.

Wells held the 15-to-14 edge in shots and also led both teams with four corner kicks.

Express backstop Michael Sciotti (North Syracuse, N.Y.) drew the loss, allowing three goals on six shots. Nick Hallett picked up the win for Utica, making five saves on six total shots.

Wells opens up North Eastern Athletic Conference play this Friday, Sept. 18 as they face-off against Lancaster Bible College on the road at 3 p.m.