A Quick Look
The SUNY Oneonta men's lacrosse team brushed off the cobwebs today and opened the season with a 16-9 win against Anna Maria.  Junior Thomas McRae (Northport/Northport) led the offense with six points while classmate Andrew Stamatel (Glens Falls/Glens Falls) added four goals.
 
The Inside Story
After nearly 10 minutes of scoreless action in the first quarter, junior Michael Benasutti (Centereach/Centereach) scored the initial goal of the season for Oneonta at the 5:34 mark.  The Amcats tied the game a few minutes later before Oneonta exploded for four unanswered goals during the final 1:43 including a goal by junior Logan Michalisin (Niskayuna/Niskayuna) with two ticks on the clock.
 
The two squads combined for nine goals in the second quarter with Oneonta holding a 5-4 edge.  The Red Dragons bunched three goals in a :59 second span to take an 8-2 lead with just over 10 minutes to go in the quarter.  Anna Maria scored three of the next five goals to bring the halftime score to 10-5 in favor of Oneonta.
 
After a man-up goal by the Amcats, Oneonta countered with a pair of goals including an extra-man goal by junior Andrew Hodgens (Syracuse/Westhill).  Three goals would be all for the third quarter, as Oneonta opened its lead to 13-6 entering the final quarter.
 
The two teams evened out in the fourth quarter with three goals apiece for the final.  Stamatel notched his fourth of the game coming on an extra-man situation.
 
Just the Stats
Oneonta held a significant shot advantage 51-34 with 32 on goal.  The Red Dragons were successful on 17 of 20 clear attempts and collected 42 ground balls.  Sophomore Tim Shanley won 19-of-28 faceoffs in his debut for the Red Dragons.
 
Sophomore goalies Sebastian Gomez (White Plains/White Plains) went the distance between the pipes recording nine saves.
 
What's next
Oneonta will play its home opener this coming Wednesday, Mar. 4 against SUNY Maritime beginning at 4pm.