UTICA – After returning just five players, Utica’s fast start on the soccer pitch is gaining some notice.

The Chieftains graduated 11 players and lost their top goalkeeper to Vardar Academy of the MLS Next Academy circles. But the side has thrived under the next-man up mentality.

Utica hosted Warren Cousino last Wednesday in a Macomb Area Conference crossover match and walked off with the pitch with a 3-0 shutout of the Patriots, who have been quite competitive during the last decade.

The win was also the third straight shutout for Utica (3-1-0) following a 2-1 season-opening loss at Rochester.

“It’s kind of weird. But two years ago we had 17 seniors and one really good sophomore. Last year we only had three returnees with one player going to Vardar and 17 players graduating,” said coa

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