March 28, 2015

Manlius, N.Y. – The SUNY Oneonta women's lacrosse team traveled to Manlius to open SUNYAC competition against the Lakers of Oswego Saturday afternoon at Fayetteville-Manlius High School. The Red and White cruised to a 16-9 victory lead my rookie standout Taylor Casey (Garden City South/Kellenberg Memorial)'s half dozen goals. Seniors Jillian Donodeo (Holbrook/Sachem East) and Nikki Fioretti (Yorktown Heights/Yorktown) combined for seven goals in the contest.

The Red Dragons came out on fire as they netted the game's first four goals in a four minute span. Fioretti opened the scoring just over three minutes in on an unassisted effort. Sophomore Katie Flannery (Massapequa/Plainedge) tallied her fourth goal of the season on a free position shot a minute and a half later. Casey buried the next two goal, first off a feed from Donodeo at 6:09 then on a free position shot just under a minute later.

The Lakers got on the board on a free position shot at 8:24, and again on an unassisted goal from Erannan Shttuck at 12:02. Fioretti responded with just under nine minutes remaining in the opening 30 minutes on another individual effort. After the Lakers converted on a free position shot to pull the score to 5-3 in favor of the Red Dragons, junior Rebecca Fildes (Red Hook/Red Hook), with an assist from Flannery, and Donodeo on a free position shot lifted the Red and White to a 7-3 halftime advantage.

Each team fired 15 shots in the half. Red Dragon keeper Autumn Moore (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) made five saves, while the offense converted on three of four free position shots.

Oneonta picked up right where they left off at the start of the second frame. Flannery tallied her second goal of the game and fifth of the season just 45 ticks into the half.
Following a quick Laker response, the Red and White rattled off the next three goals. Casey sandwiched her third and fourth goals around Donodeo's second. The stretch covered about four minutes of play.

Oswego tried to inch its way back with a quick three goal run between the 10^th and 12^th minutes, but the Red Dragons would have no parts of any comeback bid. Fioretti completed the hat trick on a free position shot just about half way through the stanza before Casey and Donodeo alternated the team's final four goals.

"It was an all-around team effort today, that's why it feels so good" said head coach Ali Pollock. "Everyone did their job from goalie to defense to midfield to offense, and did it well. We were prepared and wanted this win more than anything. It's onto the next now."

Oneonta finished the game with 32 shots, and more than doubled the Lakers in draw controls. Moore made a career-high 11 saves to pick up her second win of the year.

Oneonta moves to 3-6 ahead of Tuesday's showdown with in-town rival Hartwick. Opening draw is set for 5:00 p.m. on All College Field.