MEN'S SOCCER FALLS TO UTICA

UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's soccer team trailed 1-0 at the first intermission, but netted three goals in the final 17 minutes of the contest to defeat visiting Wells College 3-1 in non-conference action at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium Friday night.

With the win the Pioneers improved 2-2-1, while the Express dropped to 1-2-1.

Wells opened the scoring on the day when Delroy Roberts (Schenectady, NY) crossed the ball at the 15 yard line to junior Derek Wheeler (Ava, NY).  Wheeler gathered and hit a shot right at UC freshman goalie Benjamin Banker (Morrisville-Eaton/Morrisville) who knocked the ball down but it trickled past him on the left side to give the Express a 1-0 lead just 1:33 into the contest.  Roberts was credited with an assist on Wheelers' first goal of the season.

Both teams were held to a stalemate for the final 43 minutes of the first half.  The Pioneers out shot the Express 10-6 in the half, but Wells earned a 2-0 corner kick advantage. The second half was all UC as they tallied all three goals to earn the 3-1 win. UC outshot Wells 21-9 on the day and earned a 7-2 corner kick advantage.  Banker tallied six saves in net for UC, while his counterpart Birklin stopped a game-high seven shots for the Express.