Duchesneau's Goal Elevates Men's Soccer To 2-1 Victory

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AURORA, N.Y. – Freshman James Duchesneau's (South Glastonbury, Conn.) first collegiate goal was the difference maker in a 2-1 victory by the Wells College men's soccer team over Utica College on Tuesday at the South Athletic Field. Wells improves to 2-2-1 overall on the year while Utica, who entered play as the No. 9-ranked team by the USCAA in the East Region, falls to 2-1-1.

Freshman James McIntosh (Vestal, N.Y.), carrying the ball up the right side, sent a cross through traffic to the top of the box. Duchesneau, on the move from right to left, fired a shot that eluded the grasp of Utica goalkeeper David Abdou for the go-ahead score. Both players picked up their first collegiate points on the play.

Utica saw a goal from Evan Bailey in the game's 51st minute to break the 0-0 deadlock. A shot in front of the net was halted by Wells backstop Michael Sciotti (North Syracuse, N.Y.), but the rebound fell right onto the feet of Bailey who roofed a shot past Sciotti's reach. Wells countered only 70 seconds later as senior Alexander Essandoh (Accra, Ghana, Africa) headed home a direct kick from classmate Cody Primmer (Oneonta, N.Y.) to knot the score at one apiece.

Sciotti made nine saves between the posts for Wells, earning his second victory of the year. Abdou allowed two goals on six shots for Utica, drawing the loss. In total, Utica outshot the Express by a 22-to-12 margin but Wells converted two of their six shots on goal to capture the win.

Wells returns to action Saturday, Sept. 13 as Keuka College travels to Aurora, N.Y. for a high noon showdown to open North Eastern Athletic Conference play.