UCFC TRAVELS TO HARRISBURG FOR FIRST ROADIE

QUICK LOOK: Utica City FC (1-2) will have their first road test of the year as they visit the Harrisburg Heat (0-1).

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: Utica City FC battled through a 3-0 deficit against Harrisburg to earn a 5-4 win thanks to Moises Gonzalez’s goal with 20 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter. Brian Wilkin was the man of the match, with four goals against on 26 shots from Harrisburg. Utica City poured on 46 shots in the game. Utica City’s three powerplay goals was the most they have had all season.

I WANT SOME MOI OF THAT: Moises Gonzalez has started off the year scalding hot. He got the powerplay goal in the third quarter that made it a 4-3 game and pushed Harrisburg back to their heels. His real moment came with 20 seconds left. On a powerplay chance he struck one right through the legs of the Harrisburg keeper and gave UCFC the win. He now has 4 goals in 2 games, and 6 total points this season. Last year, Gonzalez scored 23 goals and added 13 assists in 20 games.

HEAT BACK TO BACK: Utica City will meet Harrisburg for the second consecutive night. This marks one of three different two game sets UCFC plays against the same team. After a home game with Baltimore they will see Florida Back to back weekends. Later in the year Utica will play Harrisburg back to back again, with meetings on March 6th and 11th.  

ROSTER MOVES: This week Utica City added Juan Alava and Alencar Ventura Junior. An Ecuador native, Alava joins Utica City after finishing his college career with Southern Connecticut State University. His senior season he started 16 of their 17 games and was second on the team with five points. He was also a two time All-American at Nassau Community College. Junior returns to the City after playing with the U.S. Futsal national team at the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania. He played three games for Utica City in the 2019-20 season. His other indoor experience includes stints with the Turlock Express and Cedar Rapids Rampage.