MARCY, N.Y. – There's always plenty of history involved in a SUNYIT-vs.-Utica soccer game. On Wednesday night, both the distant – and the recent – past were at play.
Recent history involved a common opponent. The Wildcats opened their season at home this past Friday night with a jarring 3-2 loss to SUNY Purchase. The following day the Panthers traveled to Utica, where they were dismantled by the Pioneers 4-0. The disparity in outcomes coupled with the Pioneers #8 ranking in the last NSCAA/Continental Tire East Region Rankings would have most pundits forecasting a long night for the Wildcats. But what actually occurred on Wednesday night at Wildcat Field would have fans of the rivalry reaching back to – as hinted earlier – the more distant past.
After 19 minutes of even play, the Wildcats found themselves with a great opportunity. Senior Matt Arcidiacono (Oneonta, N.Y. / Oneonta) played a beautiful ball into the box from the right side. Six-foot-three striker Kafou Doumbia (Bronx, N.Y. / Marble Hill) headed the ball towards the top of the net for what appeared to be a sure goal, however Pioneer keeper David Abdou made a spectacular jumping save to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Despite averting a goal, the play proved portentous. The ensuing corner kick again found the head of Doumbia, and this time the sophomore didn't miss, converting a near-perfect ball from Nick McBride (Rotterdam, N.Y. / Mohonasen) for the Wildcats first score.
SUNYIT continued to have success with their set-pieces, as seven minutes later the Wildcats stretched the lead to two on another corner. McBride's offering was on point yet again, this time flying the ball to the opposite side of the goalie box, where freshman defender Kyle Baker (Rome, N.Y. / RFA) was able to head the ball back into traffic. From there, fellow rookie C.J. Dean (Schenectady, N.Y. / Mohonasen) showcased quick reflexes in deflecting the ball into the lower left corner of the goal.
Up 2-0, the Wildcats continued to create opportunities and would finish the half out shooting the Pioneers 8-2, and creating 3 corner kicks to Utica's 0.
As for the history, SUNYIT's 2 goals are the most the Wildcats have scored against the Pioneers since a 2006 game that the Wildcats won 2-1. That had been the last time SUNYIT defeated the Pioneers until last year's miracle season, in which the Wildcats beat their crosstown rival 1-0. Coincidentally, last year's SUNYIT team spent much of the year ranked in the top-10 of the East Region, a distinction the Pioneers held heading into Wednesday night's game.
All in all, a nice story for the home team. At least it was for the first 84 minutes.
It all changed on an incredible set-piece by the Pioneers. Defender Chris Stashko drove a high-arcing ball from well-outside the penalty box, and Shane Ruffing was there with a running-header to pull the Pioneers to within one.
Minutes later the frantic Utica team played a long forward pass into SUNYIT territory. The Wildcats seemed poised to kick it away, but somehow the pass skittered away and allowed a dangerous opportunity for a Utica striker. While retreating to help defend, a SUNYIT player bumped into the Pioneer striker, knocking him down and resulting in a penalty kick.
Once again it would be the foot of Chris Stashko presenting problems for the Wildcats, as the senior calmly buried the penalty kick in the lower left corner of the net.
In the first overtime period, Stashko again threatened to derail the Wildcats. After another Utica striker was taken down in the penalty box, Stashko was called upon to try to win the game for the visitors. With just 1:38 remaining in the overtime period, the senior once again went to the lower left side, but this time SUNYIT keeper Jesse Yanarella (Wappingers Falls, N.Y. / Ketchum) was ready for it. The sophomore made an incredible diving stop, saving the game for the Wildcats and forcing a second overtime period.
After playing to another stalemate in the second overtime period, the two exhausted teams settled for a 2-2 tie.
In addition to the goal-scorers and those who assisted, defender Brett Gruener (Ballston Spa, N.Y. / Ballston Spa) made several outstanding plays to spoil would-be opportunities for the Pioneers. The gritty senior seemed to come up with the ball in every one-vs.-one situation, especially in the two overtime periods.
Next up, the Wildcats will face their first NEAC opponent of the year in the form of the similarly named Pennsylvania College of Technology Wildcats. The game is slated for this Saturday, Sept. 6th, at 2:00 pm.
