A Quick Look
"Knock, knock"
"Who's There?"
"Witman Hernandez (Huntington/Walt Whitman), that's who"
 
In case you have not seen SUNY Oneonta senior Witman Hernandez (Huntington/Walt Whitman) in 2019, you have another chance to see one of the most prolific goal scorers at any level of NCAA soccer this Saturday at 1pm when the Red Dragons face Plattsburgh in the SUNYAC championship game.
 
Today, Hernandez showed his brilliance once again scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory for host Oneonta against its rival foes from Cortland in the semifinals of the conference tournament.  Both goals were highlight reels showing tremendous individual effort and skill.
 
"Witman has to be the best player in the country," stated Head Coach Iain Byrne.  "The goals he scored were two of the best I've ever seen."
 
Byrne continued, "I thought we were tremendous in the second half and Witman and Birdie were dangerous throughout the match.  Our defenders fly under the radar, but they have been outstanding for us."
 
The Inside Story
The two teams played to a scoreless first half with the visiting Red Dragons holding a slight 9-7 advantage in shots.  Cortland (8-7-3) pressured early but couldn't slide one past Oneonta freshman keeper Nate Hanna (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker), who picked up his tenth win of the season including his seventh blanking of his rookie season.
 
Hernandez's goals came in the 73^rd and 82^nd minutes of the match on two incredible efforts.
 
On the first goal, Hernandez was able to kick the ball loose from Sean Kelly, who was charging out to try and grab it.  The ball deflected just outside the left edge of the box where Hernandez took one touch, turned and shot from a tough angle and then watched it roll past a Cortland defender into the back of the goal.
 
The goal for Hernandez came just 25 seconds after Nevin Numbiar hit the cross bar on a header that bounced over Hanna's head.
 
On his second goal, Hernandez collected a loose ball outside of the box on the right wing.  He then proceeded to carry the ball into the box before dodging a defender to put the ball on his right foot.  His shot was low and hard and ended up sailing past an outstretched keeper into the lower left corner of the goal.
 
Just the Stats
Oneonta ended flipping the shot advantage in the second half and finished the match outshooting Cortland 16-14.  The hosts held a decided 9-3 advantage in corner kicks.  Hanna finished the contest with seven saves while Kelly recorded six saves.
 
What's Next
Saturday's winner will receive the SUNYAC's automatic berth into the NCAA field of 64 teams for this year's national tournament, which begins with first and second round games Nov. 15/16.  The Red Dragons will be playing for its sixth conference title in this decade.

Highlights of Witman Hernandez's (Huntington/Walt Whitman) goals