The SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team scored single goals in each half today enroute to a 2-0 shutout of visiting Vassar College.  The Red Dragons' victory puts them at 3-1-2 overall while the loss for the Brewers drops them to 4-2.
 
"That was as hard a game we've had this season," commented Head Coach Iain Byrne.  "We chased the ball for long periods and our goalkeeper and two spectacular goals were the difference in the game."
 
Oneonta had a chance to grab the lead early when junior Witman Hernandez (Huntington/Walt Whitman) got behind the defense and headed a ball that hit the right post.  The ball was chipped into the goal area by sophomore Roberto Ventura (Brentwood/Brentwood) from just outside the box.
 
Vassar's best opportunity in the first half came in the 16^th minute on a shot by Kevin Baliat in close but was stymied by Nicholas Giordano (East Northport/Commack).
 
The Red Dragons broke the deadlock at the 20-minute mark on a shot from 35 yards out by senior Alejandro Ruiz (Brentwood/Brentwood) that found the left side of the goal.
 
The shots were nearly even in the opening half with Oneonta holding a slight edge 6-4.
 
The Brewers only chance in the second half came early when Jonathan Bow broke in behind the defense and tried to chip a ball past Giordano, but he was able to get his hand on it and send it wide.
 
Freshman Matt Howe (Hopewell Junction/John Jay) had a scoring chance in the 56^th minute on a through ball by Hernandez with the resulting shot just going wide of the right post.
 
Twenty minutes later, Hernandez gave the Red Dragons a 2-0 lead when he redirected a service from senior Nicholas Plate (Miller Place/Sachem North) on a corner kick.
 
Giordano finished the match with nine saves while Will Marment made four stops for the Brewers.
 
Oneonta will be back in action again tomorrow afternoon when they travel to Hamilton College for a match beginning at 2pm.