Box Score Box Score

ONEONTA, N.Y.—The Oneonta State men's soccer team made its first game back in the NCAA tournament a memorable one for the 622 fans that came to watch them at Red Dragon Field today with a 2-1 win over Baldwin Wallace in the first round.  The Red Dragons are making its first NCAA appearance in the Div. III tournament and its first since 1975 when Oneonta competed in the Div. I tournament.

Oneonta (15-2-2), winners of its last 11 games, will take on Penn State Behrend tomorrow in a second round game at Red Dragon Field beginning at 1pm.  Penn State advanced into the second round with its win in today's first game against Hobart, 1-0.

Today's win extended Oneonta's current unbeaten streak to 16 games, which ties a program record set during the 2006-2007 seasons.  They also bettered its program record for home games without a loss to 25.

The Yellow Jackets struck quickly in this one, scoring the opening goal of the match in the fifth minute.  After a foul, Baldwin Wallace was awarded a direct kick, which was taken by Andrew Thompson from about 35 yards out.  Thompson lifted a shot over the wall and it kept sailing right to the upper right corner of the goal for the 1-0 lead.

“We came out dangerous,” said Baldwin Wallace head coach, Reid Ayers.  “We were moving the ball well and got the early goal, but it changed the tempo of the match.”

“We were nervous at the start,” said Oneonta head coach, Iain Byrne.  “After they scored, it settled us down and we started to dominate.”

The first half really belonged to Oneonta after the opening goal.  The Red Dragons were relentless on the attack, finally breaking through in the 33rd minute.

Oneonta senior Gary Laronde (Wheatley Heights/Half Hollow Hills) (Wheatley Heights/Half Hollow Hills) had an apparent breakaway before being fouled from behind by a Baldwin Wallace defender.  The referee stopped the clock and awarded a penalty kick to Oneonta.  Senior Nicholas Lange (Freeville/Dryden) (Freeville/Dryden) stepped up and converted the kick to tie the score at 1-1.

Six minutes later as Oneonta continued its pressure SUNYAC Player of the Year, Eric Fortier (Pleasant Valley/Arlington) (Pleasant Valley/Arlington) broke free after receiving a pass from senior Matthew Brown (New Windsor/Newburgh Free Academy) (New Windsor/New Windsor).  Fortier deposited a rocket just inside the right post for his team-leading 11th goal of the season to give the Red Dragons a 2-1 lead.

In the second half, the game was pretty even.  Both teams had one dangerous opportunity each, but came away empty.  Oneonta out shot Baldwin Wallace 16-12, but had a decided advantage in corner kicks, 11-1.

Senior Maxwell Siegelman (Roslyn/Roslyn) (Roslyn/Roslyn) made five saves for Oneonta while Ryan Hulings made four stops for the Yellow Jackets including a diving, one-handed stop in the 10th minute of the game off a shot by freshman Justin Rivera (Bay Shore/Bay Shore) (Bay Shore/Bay Shore).

“We are playing with a lot of confidence coming off a great season,” said Fortier.  “Tomorrow's another game and we'll approach that game like we've approached every game this year.”

“It was a tough game and we were hoping to score another goal,” said Byrne.  “We managed to finish the game strong and we'll be ready for tomorrow's game.  It will be another tough match, but it's a chance to go to the final 16.”