Senior Dillon Johnson (Northport/Northport) scored on a rebound in the 71^st minute, but it wasn't enough, as the SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team fell a goal short against Fredonia today in the SUNYAC finale for both squads.  The loss for the Red Dragons dropped them to 13-4-1 overall and 6-2-1 in the SUNYAC while the win raised Fredonia to 11-5-1 overall and 6-3 in the conference clinching the third seed for the upcoming tournament.
 
Johnson's goal came as a result of a shot by sophomore Justin Cebollero (Commack/Commack) that was blocked in front.  Johnson came right through the pack and banged the rebound home to cut Fredonia's lead in half with plenty of time remaining.
 
The steady rain didn't seem to affect either team today, as both teams were able to get up and down the pitch throughout both halves.  The opening stanza ended scoreless despite Oneonta holding a decided shot advantage at 13-3.  The dueling freshmen keepers, Ryan Wilson (Poughkeepsie/Arlington) for Oneonta and Ty Bentham of Fredonia made two and four saves respectively in the first half.
 
The action in the second half continued to move up and down the field with each team getting its shares of counter attacks.
 
Junior Ryan Ross got things going for the Blue Devils when he scored the opening goal of the match in the 55^th minute.  The goal was set up after senior Parker Healy carried the ball into the box before laying a pass off to Ross, who was on his left.  Ross then took a touch and sent a shot across the goal into the right corner of the goal for the 1-0 lead.
 
Fredonia went up 2-0 six minutes later off a direct kick by senior Bryan Sibble.  After being whistled for a foul just outside the left corner of the box, Sibble hooked the direct kick a diving Wilson into the right corner of the goal.
 
In the ensuing six minutes after Johnson's goal, Cebollero and junior Luke Osovski (Endicott/Maine Endwell) had back-to-back chances that Bentham saved.  A third opportunity went just wide by senior Anthony Passiatore (South Setauket/Ward Melville).
 
Wilson finished the game with three saves while Bentham recorded eight saves.
 
"We just didn't seem to create enough or take advantage of some of the opportunities we had today," said Coach Iain Byrne.  "Fredonia needed the win and they gave an unbelievable effort, so we congratulate them on earning the third seed for the conference tournament."
 
Oneonta will close out the regular season this coming Tuesday when they host Lycoming beginning at 3pm.