KEUKA PARK, N.Y. — After falling behind early in the second half, the Keuka College Men's Soccer team rallied for a 3-2 victory over Utica University on Saturday afternoon at the Jephson Community Athletic Complex.

Owen Thorpe scored a pair of goals for Keuka College (3-8-2, 2-4-2 Empire 8), including the game-winner in the 68th minute. Nico Leone scored the second goal for Keuka College, and Carson Smith made seven saves in goal.

Keuka College 3 vs. Utica University 2
The Pioneers started strong against the Wolves and thought they had the first goal of the game in the fourth minute as a long kick was headed in, but was called back for an offsides. The Wolves quickly responded. Minutes later, a bouncing ball ended up at the feet of Owen Thorpe at the top of the box. He volleyed the ball towards goal and it would go past the keeper and inside the right post for the 1-0 lead. The Wolves pressured again in the 17th minute as Stephen Leibeck drove down the left side. His tight-angled shot was saved but still snuck behind the goalie into the box. Owen Thorpe headed the ball off the crossbar and his second attempt was saved by the recovering keeper. Utica had a strong chance later on a free kick just outside of the box. The shooter went for the near post and got it around the wall, but Thomas Callery was manning the defensive post, blocked the ball and it was cleared away. Keuka would lead 1-0 at the half.

The second half had a frantic start. Play began in the 49th minute as Utica tied the game, heading in a cross to make it 1-1. 2:32 later, the Pioneers took the lead, again heading home a ball to make it 2-1. 1:13 after that, it was Keuka's turn with the aerial attack. Connor Thorpe sent a long free-kick and it found the head of Nico Leone in the middle of the box. He nodded it in to tie the game back up at 2-2. The Wolves nearly took the lead in the 59th minute as Owen Thorpe got the ball at the top of the box, turned and shot, but would go off the right post and wide. Thorpe did not miss nine minutes later. The Wolves got a corner kick. The ball was sent into the box and headed by Kaleb Glessing. His effort went off the crossbar but fell directly to Owen Thorpe in the box. He hit it in to give Keuka the 3-2 lead with 22 minutes left to play. The Wolves did a good job of controlling play in the final minutes and limiting the chances of the Pioneers. Carson Smith was only called up for a pair of saves in those final 22 minutes as Keuka College defeated Utica University 3-2.

KC Notes:

• Saturday was the first win for Keuka College against Utica since the 2003 season, however, the Pioneers have only beaten the Wolves twice in that time
• Keuka improves to 6-2 at home against Utica and 8-5-2 overall
• Owen Thorpe now has five goals on the season to lead the Wolves
• It was the first assist and point for freshman defender Kaleb Glessing

Up Next for Keuka College: The Green and Gold will play a non-conference game on Tuesday night at Penn College in Williamsport, Pa. The Wolves will then close their regular season at home on Saturday, Oct. 29 with an Empire 8 matchup against Alfred University.