The SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team proved to be too much for Brockport to handle today, as they captured the 2015 SUNYAC title in front of a crowd of 460.  The title for Oneonta (15-3-1) is its ninth overall and fourth in the last five years.  The Red Dragons also earned its sixth straight NCAA tournament berth, which begins next weekend with opening round games.
 
"That makes three SUNYAC titles for this senior class, which says everything about their contributions to our program," said Head Coach Iain Byrne.
 
The shutout win for Oneonta was its fifth straight victory without allowing a goal.  The Red Dragon defense held Brockport to a total of five shots, one that ended up on goal.  Tournament Most Valuable player, Greg Silvestro (West Sayville/Connetquot), and All-Tournament selections Jared Van Brunt (Sayville/Sayville) and Sean Vinberg (Massapequa Park/Massapequa) have created an impenetrable back line for Oneonta all year long.
 
"Last year we made a great run in the tournament based on our attacking players, while the strength of this group has been the defensive performances and our ability to keep clean sheets," stated Byrne.
 
Oneonta's first goal of the match came in the 28^th minute of play by sophomore Cory Santangelo (Sayville/Sayville).  Senior Dylan Williams (Monroe/Monroe-Woodbury) controlled the ball inside the box near the end line before dropping a pass to Santangelo.  Santangelo finished the play with a rocket across the goal just inside the right post.  It was Santangelo's eighth goal of the season.
 
Oneonta headed into halftime with its one-goal advantage while outshooting Brockport (12-4-2) 12-3.
 
Not just a defensive standout, Silvestro took to the offense on the final two goals for the Red Dragons, scoring one and assisting on the final goal of the match.
 
Silvestro's goal came in the 58^th minute when a ball that he sent into the box deflected off a Brockport defender past a frozen keeper.  His assist came on senior Jake Sutherland (Syracuse/West Genesee)'s eighth goal of the season just over four minutes later.  Silvestro made a perfect service off an indirect kick, which Sutherland redirected with his head by the keeper.
 
Oneonta will find out when and where they will play next on Monday at 1:30pm when the NCAA announces its selections for the field of 61 teams for this year's tournament.
 
Byrne concluded, "We are peaking at the right time and hoping for a home game in the first round of the tournament."