Box Score The SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team edged New Paltz today, 2-1, in the semifinals of the SUNYAC tournament today at Plattsburgh.  Freshman Jake Sutherland (Syracuse/West Genesee) scored in the 55th minute to lift the Red Dragons past the Hawks.

Oneonta (12-5-1) will now face top seeded Plattsburgh tomorrow at 1pm in the championship game.  Up for grabs will be the automatic berth into the NCAA Division III tournament field of 64 that goes to the victor.  The Red Dragons are gunning for its second straight conference title, as last year they ran all the way to the NCAA final four in San Antonio.  Oneonta will be looking to avenge its regular season loss to Plattsburgh in overtime, 3-2, back on Oct. 6 in Plattsburgh.  This is the second straight year Oneonta is playing in the SUNYAC championship game.

“We responded well after falling behind early, but we were far from our best today,” said head coach Iain Byrne.  “While there were many disappointing performances, Jake turned our team around with a virtuoso performance off the bench.  He capped his stellar game with the game-winning goal.”

New Paltz (11-8-1) did go ahead early in today's match with a goal in the 15th minute.  Harrison Lane notched his 10th goal of the season off an assist from Mateo Cordini.

In the 30th minute, junior Luke Halberg (Norwich/Valley Heights Christian Academy) tied the game with his team leading seventh goal of the season.  Freshman Colin Volpe (Commack/St. Anthony's) crossed a ball into the box that Halberg was able to control and send by the keeper.

Sutherland's goal showed some skill, as he first won a head ball then beat the defender before sliding a shot passed the keeper to the back of the goal.

Daniel DeBottis (Cicero/C-NS) made two saves in goal for Oneonta today to pick up his sixth win of the season.