UTICA CITY FC THRASHES HARRISBURG IN 2022-23 HOME OPENER

Utica, NY - Returning from a win on the road in Pennsylvania, Utica City FC (2-1-0) took on the Harrisburg Heat (0-2-0) for the second time in two days. The Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium was packed to watch UCFC open their home slate— the team delivered on those expectations and then some, burying a staggering nine goals en route to a 9-5 win.

UCFC kicked off the first quarter in emphatic fashion as Cristhian Segura sniped the top corner of the net with pinpoint accuracy to open the scoring (8:47, 1Q). Timmy Goldman found himself alone in front of the goal to increase the lead to 2-0 just a minute later, but Raphael Araujo brought Harrisburg within one within the same minute. UCFC responded with another offensive onslaught as Steven Fernandez potted his first goal in blue and white and Goldman added his second to elevate UCFC to a 4-1 lead heading into the second quarter.

Ty Hall responded for the Heat to open the second quarter, making the score 4-2 Utica City. Utica was not content to rest on that lead as Timmy Goldman scored an early candidate for goal of the season, finishing a diving goal off the wall fed by Cristhian Segura to make it 5-2 (7:25, 2Q). Nilton de Andrade added to UCFC’s lead, netting his first in the blue and white (9:29, 2Q). Late in the second quarter, Elton de Oliveira and Dominic Francis scored for Harrisburg to bring the score to 6-4 Utica City.

The third quarter was tame compared to all other three, with neither team finding the back of the net. Nilton de Andrade came out flying to open the fourth quarter, finding the back of the net for the second time in the game just 54 seconds into the final frame. Joey Tavernese scored his first of the season to widen UCFC’s lead to 8-4, diving into the stands with a hug. Malcolm Harris scored with six attackers to bring Harrisburg within three late, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit. Nate Bourdeau iced the game vs. six attackers with 22 seconds to play to make it a 9-5 UCFC lead.

Utica City won’t play at home until December 28th against Florida. Tickets are available for that contest at uticacityfc.com/ticket. They will play on the road once before that, as they challenge Florida down south on Saturday, December 17th at 5:05 PM.