UCFC HAS BAD BOUNCE IN BLACK, FALLS 7-3 TO AMBUSH

UTICA, NY - Utica City FC hosted the St. Louis Ambush for the first time this season, sporting their black Mastrovito Hyundai jerseys in a tough 7-3 loss.

The first quarter was significantly less frenetic than many prior in the season. For the first time in five games, it was Utica City who got on the board first as Gordy Gurson potted the opening goal with ease at 5:56. That would serve as the lone goal in the opening frame. It would take until the the second quarter for the Ambush to respond as William Eskay perfectly placed a top-shelf strike to tie it up at 1-1. That would be all of the goal scoring in the quarter to cap off a quick, physical, and defensive-focused first half.

St. Louis came out firing in the third quarter, scoring three consecutive goals. Robert Kristo opened the second half scoring for the Ambush to give them their first lead of the game at 9:18 on a power play goal. Sam Guernsey added another to make it 3-1, celebrating by cartwheeling and backflipping in front of the Utica crowd. Lucas Almeida would add onto the total before the quarter ended to send the Ambush into the final frame up by three goals. Utica City nearly stopped the skid on a long-ball sent by Andrew Coughlin that ricocheted above the goal, off a UCFC player, and into the net, but the refs determined that it was no goal to the vocal displeasure of the Utica faithful. 

Eskay continued the Ambush’s assault, widening the St. Louis lead to 5-1, but Gurson scored his second of the game to bring UCFC back within three. Unfortunately, Eskay would score a hat trick on an empty net and Almeida would notch his second to widen the score to 7-2 St. Louis. Nilton de Andrade tipped in a late goal for the home team for the final goal of the game, wrapping the score up at 7-3.

Utica City returns home next Sunday, January 29th at 2:00 PM against the Baltimore Blast. Tickets are still available at uticacityfc.com/tickets.