SUNY Oneonta freshman Roberto Ventura (Brentwood/Brentwood) lifted the men's soccer team once again today scoring the eventual game-winning goal in the 64^th minute to elevate the Red Dragons to the SUNYAC tournament title and, with it, the automatic berth into the 2017 NCAA Division III Tournament, which begins with first and second round games next weekend at campus sites around the country.  Oneonta (15-1-2) will be making its seventh straight NCAA appearance.
 
"Roberto's wonder goal was worthy of winning any championship match," stated Head Coach Iain Byrne after his squad won its sixth SUNYAC tournament title overall and fifth in the last six years.
 
"In our twelve years in the SUNYAC, this is the most competitive we have seen the conference, and we would like to acknowledge the other teams," Byrne continued.  "I believe the SUNYAC is on the verge of becoming one of the dominant conferences in the country, and with five of the eight teams ranked in the Region, it highlights the level of play."
 
Ventura's "Euro-esque" goal came after he received a pass from Justin Cebollero (Commack/Commack) after crossing midfield.  Ventura carried the ball for about another 10 yards to position himself about 25 yards out and to the left.  The force of his shot sent the ball to the right corner and out of the reach of the diving keeper.
 
The two teams played a close first half statistically with Oneonta holding a slight edge in shots, 8-7, and corner kicks, 3-2.
 
Plattsburgh (13-7-1) nearly captured an early lead if it wasn't for a save by Nicholas Giordano (East Northport/Commack) from close range.  In the sixth minute, Alex Price maintained his footing and collected a loose ball behind the defense.  After that it was just him against Giordano with the save being made on a shot that Giordano made while approaching Price.
 
The game's first goal was scored by Tournament MVP Witman Hernandez (Huntington/Walt Whitman) who has been on a tear lately.  Hernandez got his foot on a cross by senior Austin Hughes (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa) and redirected it past Patrick Feeley for the 1-0 lead.  The goal was Hernandez's 11^th of the season and his fifth in the last three games.
 
Oneonta took its one-goal lead into halftime.
 
About 10 minutes into the second half, Plattsburgh evened the score on a ball that looked like it was headed wide of the goal.  The goal came off a throw-in from the right flank that was started by Jah-heem Lawitz.  Lawitz threw the ball into the box where Joe Gula headed it towards the left corner.  Gula's ball ended up catching the inside of the left post and deflected over the goal line.
 
Even though the shots were 8-6 in the second half in favor of the Red Dragons, the scoring opportunities that they had were extremely dangerous and could have easily put more goals on the scoreboard.
 
Prior to the equalizer by Plattsburgh, senior Kevin Hoff (LaGrange/Arlington) had a header in the 51^st minute that was tipped aside.  Justin Cebollero (Commack/Commack) had a shot that was batted away just prior to Ventura's goal.
 
In the 74^th minute, senior Cory Santangelo (Sayville/Sayville) had an opportunity in close and Hernandez nearly added a second goal in the 81^st minute, but the keeper got a hand on the shot and tip it over the goal.
 
Both Santangelo and Hoff were named to the All-Tournament team along with freshman Scott Cebollero (Commack/Commack).
 
When asked about the play of Hoff, Byrne stated, "I cannot say enough about Kevin, and what he means to our team. Along with Cory, Kevin is our leader and a cornerstone of a defense that has only allowed 10 goals all season. For me his consistency, coupled with his knack for scoring crucial goals, makes him the best defender in the conference, and a certainty to be considered for All American honors."
 
Byrne concluded, "Moving on to the NCAA's next weekend, we are proud to represent the conference and we hope some fellow SUNYAC members will receive at-large bids and join us in the NCAA's."
 
Oneonta will know when and where they will be playing next when the NCAA announces its field of 61 teams on Monday afternoon at 1:30pm.  The selection show will air on www.ncaa.com.

Roberto Ventura (Brentwood/Brentwood)'s "WOW" goal that was the game-winner