Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly men's soccer team fell 2-1 to Utica University on Wednesday afternoon. The Wildcats generated several scoring opportunities throughout the opening half but were unable to find the back of the net before halftime. Utica struck twice in quick succession early in the second half to take a 2-0 lead. Elijah North pulled one back for Poly in the 62nd minute off an assist from Nick Pepe, but the Wildcats were unable to find an equalizer despite a late push.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SUNY Poly looked to establish its attack early, with Pepe sending a shot wide in the fifth minute before Jackson Beckman followed with another attempt in the 12th minute. The Wildcats continued to apply pressure, earning multiple corner kicks and creating opportunities in front of the Utica goal.
Poly continued to generate chances midway through the first half, with Elijah North, Lucas Russell, Andrew Sprenger, and Jael Casimir all attempting shots during a stretch of sustained offensive pressure. The Wildcats earned several corner kicks during the sequence, keeping the Utica defense busy as they searched for the opening goal.
The Wildcats continued to threaten in the 28th minute when Johnpaul Jerome put a shot toward the bottom-right corner, but Utica goalkeeper Zachary Accetta made the save. Pepe followed with another attempt in the 30th minute before North tested Accetta again in the 34th minute, with the goalkeeper making another stop to keep the match scoreless.
Utica created opportunities of its own late in the first half, but SUNY Poly goalkeeper Zack Bruder came up with a save on Mao Nkurunziza's attempt in the 43rd minute. Both teams went into the halftime break scoreless.
Utica broke the deadlock in the 50th minute when Carter Cookinham scored off an assist from Felix-Assa Loselose to give the home team a 1-0 lead. Cookinham struck again just seconds later, extending Utica's advantage to 2-0.
SUNY Poly looked to respond immediately, with Bruder making a save on a Loselose attempt following the second goal. The Wildcats continued to push forward, with North and Jace James creating additional scoring opportunities as Poly looked to get back into the match.
The Wildcats cut the deficit in the 62nd minute when North found the back of the net off an assist from Pepe, bringing SUNY Poly within one at 2-1. The goal gave Poly renewed momentum as the Wildcats continued to search for an equalizer.
Poly kept up the pressure throughout the second half, with Casimir, Owen Champion, and James all recording attempts on goal. Bruder also made several important saves to keep Utica from extending its lead, including stops on attempts from Griffin Condit, Loselose, and Cookinham.
The Wildcats intensified their attack in the closing minutes, with Casimir and Nazim Harizi recording shots before James added another attempt in the 87th minute. Poly earned multiple corner kicks late in the match and continued to create opportunities in the final minute, but Utica held on to secure the 2-1 victory.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats return home on Saturday, October 24, when they host Nazareth University at 1 p.m.
