October 19, 2014

The SUNY Oneonta women's soccer team completed its regular season schedule Wednesday afternoon with a 2-1 win over cross-street rival Hartwick.

The Red and White put the pressure on early, controlling the possession battles in the early goings. Junior Caitlyn LaPier (Chazy/Chazy) fired the game's first shot late in the fourth minute, but was blocked by the defense. The Hawks tested the Red Dragons Starting keeper, junior Kelley Murphy (Albany/Colonie Central), with shots in the 10^th and 14^th minutes, but Murphy was up to the task. The visitors tallied the game's first goal in the 32^nd minute when Sierra Bentley corralled a loose ball in front a beat Murphy.

Oneonta came out a completely different team in the second half. The Red and White recorded the first three shots of the second stanza firing high and wide, before junior Taylor Messina (Smithtown/Smithtown East) took a shot from the corner of the box that was too much for the Hartwick keeper to handle.

In the 74^th minute, Kayla Distin (Fulton/G. Ray Bodley) collected a loose ball in front from freshman Laura Rolston (New City/Clarkstown South) to lift the Red and White to a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish.

Oneonta registered 11 shots in the second half, eight of which were on frame. Junior Rori Stark (Brewster/Brewster) entered the game in second stanza to pick up her third win of the season.
The Red Dragons finish the regular season at 7-8-3. They will host Plattsburgh on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the SUNYAC Tournament. Game time is set for 1 pm.