UTICA CITY FC SWEEPS SEASON SERIES VS. HARRISBURG WITH 6-4 WIN

Utica, NY - Following a tough weekend of away games against Milwaukee and Kansas City, Utica City FC returned to the Adirondack Bank Center to host the Harrisburg Heat. UCFC came into today with 5 consecutive wins against Harrisburg, and Utica would make it 6 after a 6-4 victory. 

One minute into action, Harrisburg goalkeeper Grant Glorioso took a hard challenge from Franck Tayou, forcing the Heat to bring in backup Jorge Navarrete. The Heat goalkeeper made a stellar save to deny Nilton De Andrade, but at the 6:32 mark Cole Stephens would squeeze a ball into the goal to put Utica up 1-0. Ten and a half minutes into the first, Andrew Coughlin made a great save to deny Jackson Becher and keep the Utica lead at 1. The lone goal from Stephens was the only score of the first, and Utica went into the second with a 1 goal lead. 

UCFC started the second quarter on the front foot, and the home side was rewarded accordingly. Issak Somow took a pass from Logan Roberts and turned it home for 2-0. Utica would head to a power play thanks to a Derek Ramirez blue card, and Geo Alves found a way past Navarrete for 3-0. The Heat goalkeeper would make up for his mistakes by putting Harrisburg on the board nine and a half minutes into the second frame. The Heat pickpocketed Utica in the defensive half and Robert Williamson slotted the ball past Coughlin to make the score 3-2. Harrisburg would go on to tie the game right before halftime, with Roshawn Panton slamming the ball home after a great flick and assist from Alejandro Arbelaez. The teams would head to the break tied 3-3. 

The third quarter saw a few opportunities for both sides, but both Coughlin and Navarrete made spectacular saves to hold the score at 3-3 going into the fourth. In the final frame, Emmanuel Belliard got the scoring started at 3:41, guiding a ball into the path of the Heat and having it deflect in. UCFC would then gain a shootout opportunity after Panton was called for holding as the last man back. Moh Ndiaye converted the shootout attempt, and Utica led by 2, 5-3. Harrisburg pulled Navarrete and the home side would make the Heat pay, with De Andrade scoring an empty net goal. Harrisburg kept the extra attacker on, and found a goal through Arbelaez to make the score 6-4. 

The homestand continues next weekend with a back-to-back series with the St. Louis Ambush. Action begins on Saturday, March 23 at 7:05 pm–tickets for the matchup are available at uticacityfc.com/tickets.