Sophomore Cory Santangelo (Sayville/Sayville) recorded the natural hat trick to lead a second half surge for the SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team, as they turned away Hamilton College this afternoon 4-2.  The Red Dragons overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit and just dominated the Continentals in the final 45 minutes with its four goals and a 15-1 shot advantage.
 
Trailing 1-0, Oneonta (10-3-1) was all over Hamilton (5-7) from the opening whistle of the second half.  The Red Dragons turned up the pressure and were rewarded in the 54^th minute on a header goal from senior Jared Van Brunt (Sayville/Sayville).  The play started with a crossing pass from the right flank into the box that Santangelo headed toward the back post.  There was waiting Van Brunt who was right on the post to head the ball past the diving Hamilton goalkeeper.
 
The Red Dragons put the game well out of reach with Santangelo's three goals in the span of 12 minutes midway through the second half.  His first goal came in the 63^rd minute on a beautiful diving header on a restart service from junior Hans Purtell (Johnson City/Johnson City).
 
Senior Jake Sutherland (Syracuse/West Genesee), who crossed a ball off of the end line where Santangelo volleyed a shot that was saved initially by Harris Pollack, set up his next goal.  The shot deflected off Pollack and Santangelo took another shot, which got past Pollack for the goal.
 
Santangelo's final goal came in the 75^th minute on another header.  This time senior Matthew Matteo (Millerton/Webutuck) crossed a ball from the right flank that Santangelo redirected to the back of the goal.
 
The two squads played even in shots in the first half, but it was a shot by junior Alec Talsania in the 24^th minute that put Hamilton (5-7) up 1-0.  Talsania took a touch pass from sophomore Jack Temko just outside the left corner of the box before hooking a shot to the upper right corner of the goal.
 
In the 80^th minute, junior Spenser Heller converted a penalty kick for Hamilton's final score of the match.
 
Oneonta will play its final home game of the regular season this Saturday against New Paltz beginning at 1pm.  The Red Dragons will honor its 11 seniors on Saturday before the match with the Hawks.