Potsdam, NY – A touched shot in the penalty area midway through the second half gave the Utica College Pioneers a 1-0 victory over the Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team Wednesday night at Hantz Turf Field.

The Golden Knights lost their third straight game to drop to 1-4-1 overall on the season, while Utica bounced back from its first loss to move to 3-1. Clarkson returns to action this weekend when it hosts Gordon College on Saturday afternoon.

The Pioneers controlled the play in the first half, connecting numerous passes to hold the play and pace. Clarkson goalkeeper Saverino Spagnolo (Ottawa, ONT) made several solid saves to maintain the scoreless tie through 45 minutes, despite an 8-2 edge in shots for Utica.

Clarkson reversed the control at the start of the second half, gaining the first three shot attempts, including a pair of good scoring opportunities. However, it was the Pioneers that would get on the scoreboard first with their first shot attempt of the half. Chris Ferrulo raced down the right side with possession of the ball and as he closed in on the endline, he sent a pass back through the penalty area and found the foot of Jonathon Wood, who one-timed his kick to the far post past Spagnolo with just 23:29 remaining in the game.

Clarkson had a pair of long shots late in the game, one from Graziano Spagnolo (Ottawa, ONT) and one from Angelo DiFrancesco (Penfield, NY), but both went high and wide. Additionally, Jacob Duff (Lebanon, CT) delivered some solid corner kicks into the box, but Utica keeper Anthony Caruso made some leaping grabs to end the Clarkson offensive pushes.

A final shot from Tobin Boomer (Louisville, KY) with 17 seconds remaining went high and wide again, sending Utica to its victory.

Utica finished with an 11-8 edge in shots and a 6-3 lead in corner kick chances. Spagnolo finished with six saves for the Knights, while Caruso made four stops for the Pioneers.