Box Score The SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team certainly has a flair for the dramatic this season, as today they once again tied the score late to force overtime.  Unfortunately, the Red Dragons had to settle for a tie against visiting SUNY New Paltz, 2-2.  Oneonta (9-3-4/5-0-2) did win the shootout, 5-4, in case it is needed for SUNYAC tournament seeding.

The hero today was sophomore Dylan Williams (Monroe/Monroe-Woodbury), who notched both of Oneonta's goals on the afternoon.  His second goal of the game came on a penalty kick when senior Luke Halberg (Norwich/Valley Heights Christian Academy) was knocked to the ground inside the box in the 87th minute.

Williams' first goal gave the Red Dragons a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute on two great passes, setting him up for a wide open shot from the top of the box.  The initial pass came from freshman Hans Purtell (Johnson City/Johnson City), who sent a ball across the box from the left flank where junior Justin Rivera (Bay Shore/Bay Shore) gave a one-touch pass to Williams, who finished the play with a rocket past an outstretched New Paltz keeper.

New Paltz (4-9-3/2-4-1) battled hard throughout the contest holding an 8-5 shot advantage in the opening half of play.

In the 34th minute, senior Hobie Ramin was able to control a pass in front of the goal by classmate Bernardo Menendez with his chest before putting it on his foot and sending a shot into the lower right corner of the goal to tie the game at one apiece.

The Hawks took a 2-1 lead in the second minute of the second half when they were awarded a penalty kick.  Menendez stepped up and converted for New Paltz.

Statistically, Oneonta held the advantage in both shots (23-15) and corner kicks (12-4).  Oneonta junior Vincent Pellegrino (Baldwin/Baldwin) and New Paltz junior Steven Domino each made six saves for their teams today.

In the shootout period, Oneonta made its five kicks and led 5-4 entering the final attempt by Javier Ventas, which was stopped by Oneonta junior Brian Wagstaff (Apalachin/Chenango Valley).

The men will closeout the regular season next weekend on the road at Buffalo State and Fredonia.  The Red Dragons are still in first place in the SUNYAC with 17 points and will need at least one win to secure one of the top two seeds for the conference tournament and, with it, a first round bye.