The SUNY Oneonta women's soccer team pulled out another close win today against New Paltz 1-0.  The Red Dragons once again came up with a goal in the second half to secure victory and keep its current unbeaten streak alive at seven games.
 
Today's hero was senior Taylor Messina (Smithtown/Smithtown East), who scored her first goal of the season in the 57^th minute.  Before the game, Messina and classmate Julia Cranz (Huntington/Walt Whitman) were celebrated for their four-year excellence with Oneonta.  The two have been part of two SUNYAC championship and NCAA Tournament teams thus far in their careers.
 
Messina's goal came off a restart after a foul was called against New Paltz (1-13-2/0-7 SUNYAC) just outside the box at the top.  Junior Paige McDermott (Floral Park/Kellenberg Memorial) made an intelligent play by not waiting for the defense to get set and made a pass to Messina, who then took one touch and shot a ball over the head of the keeper.
 
Oneonta (8-3-4/5-1-1 SUNYAC) totally dominated statistically and territorially in the match and came close to a few more goals.  The Red Dragons outshot the Hawks 27-2 and hit the post on two occasions once in each half.
 
The first post came off a corner kick in the 34^th minute when junior Emily Opalinski (East Amherst /Williamsville East ) nearly hooked her service in from the left corner.  Oneonta was unable to capitalize on the scramble that ensued.
 
The second post came in the waning minutes of the match.  Junior Rachel Berk (Eastchester/Eastchester) made a nice move around a defender inside the box and sent a short pass to freshman Christina Kornfeld (Mount Sinai/Miller Place), who sent a shot along the ground that was headed for the left corner, but hit the post and came out.  New Paltz avoided any damage clearing the ball out of the box.
 
Sophomore Emilie Mull (Marcy/Whitesboro) only had to make one save today in recording her fourth shutout of the season.
 
The Red Dragons will be on the road next weekend, as they close out the regular season schedule in the SUNYAC with games at Buffalo State and Fredonia.  Oneonta is currently sitting in second place in the conference and is hoping to secure a first-round bye for the SUNYAC tournament.