MARCY, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly men's soccer team earned a quality win over local rival Utica University on Saturday. The Wildcats went up 3-0 midway through the first half on goals from Christian Toma and Edgar Gomez. Utica fought hard at the end of the game, clawing their way back into contention with three late goals to make it a tight game, but a late goal by Cole Wright sealed the deal. The Wildcats did a solid job in the closing minutes to run out the clock to earn their second win over Utica in as many years. The final score was 4-3. The Wildcats are now 2-1 this season.
THE GOALS:
Christian Toma scored the first goal for the Wildcats when a headed away Poly cross went right from the Utica defender's head to Toma's left foot in the middle of the box. The senior made the most of the opportunity, gathering and hitting a hard shot to the left corner of the net for his first career goal.
The second goal of the game for the Wildcats came in the 29th minute when Edgar Gomez hit a hard grounder from just inside the box that the Utica goalkeeper let go by, thinking that it was going to roll wide of the left post.
The third goal for the Wildcats was a beauty. It all started with a perfect cross by Thomas Tytler. Tytler took the ball down the right sideline near the corner. Tytler, with a man guarding him, found space to get off a high cross, finding Edgar Gomez wide open on the opposite side of the goal. Gomez headed the ball out of the air into an open net to give the Wildcats a 3-0 lead. It was his second goal of the game.
Utica scored their first goal of the game in the 78th minute, making it a 3-1 game on a goal by Michael Bernardo. Cody Green was credited with the assist.
The Wildcats would add an insurance goal in the 83rd minute, which turned out to be pivotal in the outcome of the game. In the 83rd minute, a long punt pass by SUNY Poly goalkeeper James D'Alessio was headed near midfield by Festus Alonge. That ball was passed forward to Cole Wright who was unmarked with a full head of steam, Wright put one touch on the ball to settle it, and fired a low shot behind the goalkeeper for his first goal of the season.
Utica tried to mount a late comeback, scoring a pair of goals in a three-minute span. But with just 1:23 left on the clock, there was not enough time left to tie up the game.
NOTABLE STATS:
- James D'Alessio earned the win in goal for the Wildcats. He made four saves. He is now 2-1 this season.
- Edgar Gomez had four points on two goals in the game. He has a team-leading three goals this season.
- Christian Toma's goal in the 34th minute was the first of his career.
- Cole Wright scored a goal for the Wildcats. It was his first this season and the fourth of his career.
- Festus Alonge and Thomas Tytler each had an assist in the game.
- The Wildcats out-shot the Pioneers 23-17 in the win.
- Foti Xidias was credited with the loss in goal for Utica. He made four saves.
- Byamungu Mugushu scored two unassisted goals in the game for Utica.
- Michael Bernardo scored a goal in the game for Utica.
- Cody Green had an assist for the Pioneers.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats will return to action on Wednesday, September 14th when they travel to Mt. St. Mary for a midweek, non-conference game. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM at Kaplan Field in Newburgh, NY.
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SUNY Poly is New York's globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience programs at its Albany campus, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, game design, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica campus; thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world's most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts billions of dollars in high-tech investments and hundreds of corporate partners since its inception. For information visit www.sunypoly.edu.
