The SUNY Oneonta men's lacrosse nearly erased a four-goal deficit in the final quarter today but came up on the short end of a 9-8 score to FDU-Florham at home.  The loss for Oneonta evened its early season record at 2-2 overall while the Devils recorded its initial win of 2018 and leave town 1-2 overall.
 
Oneonta held a decided advantage statistically in the contest, but FDU made the most of its extra-man opportunities.  The Devils converted on 5-of-6 man-up situations including 3-of-4 in the third quarter when they posted four goals while holding Oneonta to none.
 
Michael Warg led FDU's attack today with three goals and one assist.  Warg collected a pair of extra-man goals in the game both coming in the third period.
 
Oneonta's push in the final period started with a goal by Nick Schuman (Webster/Webster Thomas) off an assist from Stephen Panno (Holtsville/Sachem East) at 13:32.  TJ Kilmetis (Hicksville/Hicksville) scored an unassisted goal midway through the period and senior Hunter DeLuca (Medford/Patchogue Medford) scored unassisted two minutes later to pull Oneonta to within one goal.
 
The Red Dragons forced five FDU turnovers during the final five minutes but were unable to convert on the attack.  The final opportunity came with 22 seconds left in the game when senior Coz Fiore (Webster/Webster Thomas) forced a turnover deep in FDU territory.  Oneonta failed to get a shot off on its final possession.
 
Warg scored the opening goal of the game at 13:39 before DeLuca tied the game less than two minutes later.  The first quarter ended with score tied at two goals each.
 
Kilmetis gave Oneonta its first lead of the game at 9:48 of the second quarter.  After FDU tied the score, Thomas Moore (Rockville Centre/South Side/Rockville Centre ) put Oneonta back up 4-3 with just under five minutes left in the quarter.
 
FDU then scored back-to-back goals to take a 5-4 lead at the 1:50 mark.  A goal by DeLuca with 25 seconds left knotted the score entering halftime.
 
Oneonta outshot FDU, 40-23, and was a perfect 15-of-15 on clears.
 
Sophomore goalie Zachary Flynn (Stony Brook/Ward Melville) made seven saves in the game while Adam Reifer of FDU recorded 12 stops.
 
Oneonta will have a short rest before facing Elmira at home on Saturday afternoon beginning at 3:30pm.