The SUNY Oneonta women's soccer team defeated Oswego, 2-1, today in the semifinals of the 2015 SUNYAC tournament at Red Dragon Field.  The Red Dragons will now play for the conference championship on Saturday versus Buffalo State.  Top-seeded Buffalo State defeated Plattsburgh, 4-1, in its semifinal match today at home.
 
Oneonta (13-3-2) took advantage of a failed clear by the Oswego (9-9-1) defense in recording the opening goal of the contest.  The beneficiary of the failed attempt was senior Kayla Ceschini (Miller Place/Miller Place), who didn't waste any time in blasting a shot along the ground into the lower right corner of the goal.
 
Five minutes later, the Lakers countered with its best opportunity of the first half on back-to-back shots.  Sophomore Emma Geyer broke by the defense and got a shot off that was kicked out by Kelley Murphy (Albany/Colonie Central).  On the rebound, classmate Alexa Restante chipped a ball that sailed just over the crossbar.
 
The Red Dragons took its one-goal lead into halftime along with a 7-4 advantage in shots.
 
It didn't take Oswego long to get the equalizer in the second half, as they capitalized on the ensuing action off a corner kick.
 
The Lakers were able to get a shot off that went wide by Geyer.  On the ensuing goal kick, the ball was deflected where it rolled loose to the middle of the field about 30-yards out.  Senior Bailey Waterbury chipped the ball back in towards that goal that caught Rori Stark (Brewster/Brewster) retreating.  The ball was above Stark's head and she was able to knock the ball down, but as she dove to keep it from crossing the line, the ball trickled away from her to the left post where it crossed the line for the goal.
 
Twenty-two seconds later, Oneonta found themselves on the attack where it ended with their second goal.  Sophomore Rachel Berk (Eastchester/Eastchester) served the ball into the box where classmate Amanda Roney (Schoharie /Middleburgh) rocketed a shot to the upper right corner.  For Roney, it was her first goal of the season.
 
Roney nearly had her second of the game in the 81^st minute, as she broke behind the defense.  The Oswego keeper was charging and Roney slipped a shot just by her, but the shot slid wide of the right post.
 
Despite being outshot, 12-7, in the second half, Oswego did generate a couple of dangerous opportunities that Stark was able to come up with to preserve the lead for Oneonta.
 
Stark finished the match with three saves while Murphy made two in the opening half.
 
"I am proud of the girls," said Head Coach Liz McGrail.  "All of their hard work has gotten them this far.  We are looking forward to another chance at Buffalo State."