Revenge is sweet.  And today, the SUNY Oneonta women's soccer team captured its 13^th SUNYAC crown by avenging its loss to Buffalo State just two weeks ago.  Today, the Red Dragons won 3-1 on Buffalo State's home field, which is the first time Oneonta (14-3-2) has won the conference championship on the road.
 
The victory for the Red Dragons earned them the SUNYAC's automatic NCAA berth, which will be the 15^th NCAA appearance for the program.  The last appearance for the Red Dragons was in 2013.
 
"I am very proud of the girls for all the hard work they have put in this year," said Head Coach Liz McGrail.  "They believe in each other and their relentless work ethic paid off today."
 
Oneonta made the most of its limited scoring opportunities today, as they scored three goals on eight shots.  The Red Dragons were able to capitalize on Bengal miscues in the back.  Oneonta never gave up, as evidenced by the winning goals being scored in the last seven minutes of the contest, which broke the 1-1 deadlock.
 
The Bengals had tied the score in the 55^th minute on a goal by Meghan Allen.  She collected a rebound off the defense and chipped a ball over the head of Rori Stark (Brewster/Brewster).
 
In the 84^th minute, senior Kayla Distin (Fulton/G. Ray Bodley) pounced on a rebound off the goal post to slide a shot past the Bengal keeper to put Oneonta ahead 2-1.  The original shot came from sophomore Amanda Roney (Schoharie /Middleburgh), who also scored the first goal for the Red Dragons in the first half.
 
Roney, who scored her first goal of the season in the semifinals this past Wednesday, got Oneonta on the scoreboard in the 25^th minute.  She received a pass from senior Kayla Ceschini (Miller Place/Miller Place) as she slipped behind the defense before pushing a shot by the keeper.
 
Ceschini put the exclamation point on the game in the 87^th minute with an unassisted goal.  She was able to bring the ball down the left side before dodging a defender for an open shot.
 
Ceschini was named the tournament Most Valuable Player.  Roney, and classmates Jessica Lyden (Burnt Hills/Burnt Hills) and Erica Berry (Bellmore/Kellenberg Memorial) joined Ceschini on the All-Tournament Team.
 
The senior duo of Stark and Kelley Murphy (Albany/Colonie Central) turned in another solid performance in goal for Oneonta today.  Murphy, who started the match, made six saves which included stopping a penalty kick in the 19^th minute by Melissa Smith.  Stark registered seven saves in the final 45 minutes.
 
Buffalo State (15-4-1) outshot Oneonta, 18-8, and earned seven corner kicks to just one for the Red Dragons.
 
"Today's win was the sweetest revenge," said Ceschini.  "I could not be more proud of this team especially my eight senior teammates.  I am so excited to continue this season into the NCAA's where we can show everyone what we are made of."
 
Oneonta will learn about when and where they will be playing next in the NCAA tournament.  The field of 64 teams will be announced on Monday at 1:00pm.