The No. 16 ranked SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team left no doubts today in defeating Plattsburgh in the semifinals of the 2015 SUNYAC tournament.  The victory for the Red Dragons avenged its only conference loss this year with a relentless attack and a stifling defense.
 
"We were tremendous today," stated Head Coach Iain Byrne.  "When we play like we did today we are a match for anyone."
 
Oneonta (14-3-1) was on the attack from the opening whistle and had multiple chances in the first 15 minutes of the match.  The three most dangerous scoring chances came from senior Jake Sutherland (Syracuse/West Genesee), who was on the door step, but just couldn't push a shot to the back of the goal.
 
Sutherland's first opportunity came in the fifth minute on a header from a throw in that was saved by Mitchell Jordon.  The second was a shot that just floated over the cross bar and landed on top of the goal.  The third came in the 26^th minute when Sutherland got behind the Plattsburgh (14-4-3) defense and posted a low shot that was heading to the left corner before Jordon just got his finger tips on it where it ended up hitting the post.  Sutherland would not be denied in today's match, as he ended up scoring a goal and contributing an assist.
 
In the 30^th minute, Oneonta finally pushed one across on a great individual move by senior Greg Silvestro (West Sayville/Connetquot).  Silvestro secured a loose ball outside the box and then proceeded to dribble through and by three defenders before getting a shot off with his left foot that went to the back of the goal inside the right post.
 
Oneonta outshot Plattsburgh, 8-1, in the first half while carrying its one goal lead into the break.
 
The second half was no different and Oneonta scored an early goal to go ahead by a pair.
 
In the 49^th minute, senior Dylan Williams (Monroe/Monroe-Woodbury) redirected a crossing pass to the front of the goal by Sutherland past Jordon to give the Red Dragons a 2-0 advantage.
 
In the 77^th minute, Sutherland capped the scoring when he controlled a long pass into the box by classmate Jared Van Brunt (Sayville/Sayville) before turning and shooting.
 
Senior Vincent Pellegrino (Baldwin/Baldwin) stopped the only shot he faced today in recording his ninth shutout of the season.
 
Up next for Oneonta is the No. 2 seeded Brockport Golden Eagles.  Brockport scored late in regulation and forced overtime before defeating Cortland 2-1.  The match is scheduled for a 1pm kickoff on Saturday at Red Dragon Field.