The SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team continued its shutout streak to start the season, as they defeated Ithaca College, 2-0, to capture the 2015 Oneonta Mayor's Cup Tournament title for the Division III men's bracket.  For Oneonta (3-0), it was the third title in the nine years of the Division III tournament and the second straight.
 
In today's game, Ithaca held Oneonta at bay for most of the first half before junior Dillon Johnson (Northport/Northport) scored in the final minute of the first half to give the Red Dragons a 1-0 lead.  Johnson carried the ball down the right flank before rifling a shot from outside the box that landed just inside the left post.
 
In the 67^th minute, senior Jake Sutherland (Syracuse/West Genesee) converted a diving header on a crossing pass from the deep right flank by freshman Ian Cepiel (Stillwater/Stillwater Central).  It was Sutherland's second goal of the season.
 
The defense for Oneonta has now held opponents scoreless for the first three games of the season.  Senior Jared Van Brunt (Sayville/Sayville) was named the Garth Stam Defensive Player of the tournament for leading the defensive effort.  Sutherland and classmates Vincent Pellegrino (Baldwin/Baldwin) and Greg Silvestro (West Sayville/Connetquot) joined Van Brunt on the All-Tournament Team.  Pellegrino only had to make one save in today's game, as he picked up his second full shutout of the season.
 
"Early season tournaments can be treacherous, but we accomplished our goals of winning the Mayor's Cup and keeping our clean sheets," commented Head Coach Iain Byrne.  "It was great to see some younger players like Otavio Basso (Pelham Manor/Pelham), Alejandro Ruiz (Brentwood/Brentwood), Carlos Martinez (Brentwood/Brentwood) and Cepiel get to enjoy the Mayor's Cup."
 
The Red Dragons will take to the road for its next contest this Wednesday, as they travel to face perennial NCAA participant Williams College.