Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly men's soccer team came up just short in a 3-2 loss to the Utica University Pioneers. Elijah North and Nazim Harizi each scored for the Wildcats, while goalkeeper Tyler Barth made several strong saves to keep the contest close. With the loss, SUNY Poly falls to 2-7-1 on the season. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

Utica struck first in the 8th minute when Carter Cookinham finished from close range to give the Pioneers a 1-0 advantage. Just six minutes later, Byamungu Mugushu doubled the lead with help from Cookinham, making it 2-0 in the early going.

The Wildcats clawed their way back into the match as chances began to develop. After a pair of saves from Barth and shots from JohnPaul Jerome and Jael Casimir, SUNY Poly finally broke through in the 29th minute. Casimir set up North, who buried his chance to cut the deficit in half at 2-1.

The Wildcats pushed for an equalizer before halftime, with efforts from Patrick Nimineh and more pressure in the final minutes, but Utica carried their one-goal edge into the break.

SUNY Poly came out of the locker room determined. After Barth stopped another attempt early in the second half, the Wildcats were awarded a penalty in the 55th minute. Harizi calmly converted from the spot to level the score at 2-2.

Momentum briefly swung in Poly's favor as North and Eric Bethmann forced Utica keeper Asim Gacic into saves midway through the half. The Wildcats also earned a series of corners but couldn't find the go-ahead strike.

Utica ultimately regained control in the 85th minute when Mugushu netted his second of the night to put the Pioneers back in front 3-2. Despite late substitutions and forward pressure, SUNY Poly was unable to find another equalizer as time expired.

UP NEXT: The Wildcats are back at home for a showdown with the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles on Saturday October 4th at 1:00 P.M.