Haverford, PA - In the game of soccer, as they say, it only takes one and today the SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team got its one and are now headed back to the NCAA national semifinals in Kansas City.  The Red Dragons scored the only goal of the match in the 98^th minute, as Oneonta (19-3-1) defeated host Haverford (18-4) 1-0.
 
"Winning soccer games is not all about talent," said Head Coach Iain Byrne.  "After playing well in the first half and creating chances with the wind behind us, it was reversed in the second half and a great Haverford team put us under relentless pressure."
 
The victory for the Red Dragons extended its winning streak to 10 games while the loss ended Haverford's 16-game winning streak.  The last nine wins for Oneonta have come by shutout, as they have now held opponents off the scoreboard for 828 minutes and 11 seconds.  Senior goalkeeper Vincent Pellegrino (Baldwin/Baldwin), who made four saves in today's match, added to his single season and career marks of consecutive shutouts (9) and individual shutouts (30) respectively.
 
Playing a man down, the Red Dragons cashed in on its first opportunity of the overtime on a corner kick.  Senior Greg Silvestro (West Sayville/Connetquot), as he has done all season, served a great ball into the box on the far post where it was tipped by senior Dylan Williams (Monroe/Monroe-Woodbury) across the goal line to end the match.
 
"There were three very good teams in this sectional and we knew we would have to grind out both games until the final whistle," said Silvestro.  "Haverford was a tough opponent and we are closer to our goal of playing for a national championship.  We fought hard today.  It was just a real gutsy win for us."
 
"Going down a man we showed heart, mental strength and discipline to overcome the elements," commented Byrne.
 
Oneonta was awarded the corner after Williams nearly ended the game with a shot from outside the box that was labeled for the upper right corner.  Haverford back up keeper, Chris Gibson made a leaping save to push the shot over the cross bar.  Gibson entered the match in the first half when starter, Sam Miller had to leave the game after a collision on a corner kick.
 
Prior to the game-winner, Haverford managed a shot from just outside the box that Pellegrino stopped diving to his right.
 
The Red Dragons held a 5-1 advantage in shots through the opening 45 minutes, but the game remained scoreless.  Oneonta did generate three dangerous opportunities that were kicked aside by Haverford keeper Sam Miller.  Miller would leave the game in the 33^rd minute after a collision in front of the goal on a corner kick by Oneonta.
 
Oneonta's first scoring chance came in the second minute of play when Williams controlled the ball inside the six and got a shot off that was saved, but led to a corner kick.  The service was cleared away and so ended the initial threat.
 
About eight minutes later, Oneonta was awarded a direct kick just outside the box at the top middle.  Senior Alex Winiarski (Great Neck/St. Anthony's) stepped up and put a shot on frame that just skipped off the top of the cross bar.
 
Williams had another scoring opportunity in the 32^nd minute of play when he snuck behind the Haverford defense and one-timed a header pass from Anthony Passiatore (South Setauket/Ward Melville).  This was Miller's last save before exiting the contest.
 
For the most part, the Fords were kept out of range in the opening half by the Red Dragon back line.  They did have a goal waved off in the 12^th minute on an offside call.  They also had a last second corner kick that was cleared away by the Oneonta defense.
 
The second half played a bit differently as Haverford controlled most of the play in the Oneonta half of the field.  They turned the tables and held an 11-2 shot advantage, but still came away empty.  Oneonta managed a couple of counter attacks, but couldn't generate any dangerous chances.
 
Oneonta will face Amherst College on Friday, Dec 4 at 6pm EST in the first semifinal match in Kansas City.  Amherst knocked out Trinity (TX) at home 1-0 in the second overtime.  The other semifinal will not be finalized until tomorrow afternoon after Loras and Wheaton (ILL) play each other.  There quarterfinal match was postponed today due to snow and field conditions in Dubuque, IA.
 
The two semifinal winners will meet for the national championship on Saturday, Dec 5 at 6:30pm EST.
 
"We were the only state school left in the sweet sixteen and we are proud that a small rural school in upstate New York can stand toe-to-toe with these elite D3 colleges," stated Byrne.  "We will enjoy this for a few days over Thanksgiving and then prepare for Amherst."