A Quick Look
The SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team defeated visiting St. Lawrence University 2-1 today to capture the 2021 Oneonta Mayor's Cup tournament title.  For the Red Dragons, it was its sixth title in the last seven years and seventh overall championship since the men began a Div. III tournament in 2007.  The victory for Oneonta also raised its early season record to 3-0-1.
 
"That's as tough a Mayor's Cup as I can remember," commented Head Coach Iain Byrne.  "The tournament means a lot to our college, and while we were stretched in both games, we showed a lot of heart to get two wins and the trophy"
 
The Inside Story
St. Lawrence (3-2) came out of the locker room aggressive and carried the early play.  Their aggressive play earned them the game's opening goal in the seventh minute of play on a pair of outstanding individual efforts.
 
Robert Reynolds received a pass, was knocked to the ground and somehow was able to regain his footing briefly to push the ball ahead into the box.  It was Andrew Terhune that raced after the ball and was able to get his foot on it to chip it by the on-rushing keeper.
 
The Red Dragons didn't panic, as two minutes later, they tied the score at one apiece on a goal by junior Lucas Fecci (Somers/Somers).  The play started when junior Alex Sipos (Merrick/Calhoun) collected an errand ball about 30 yards out before making a pass to senior Jeremy Pantoni (Goshen/Goshen) just outside the box.  Pantoni was able to slot a lead pass to a rushing Fecci who one-timed it by the keeper.
 
The two squads headed to halftime knotted at 1-1.
 
The game-winner for Oneonta came in the 72^nd minute on a restart after a foul was called just outside the left corner of the box.  Junior Ian Zingaro (Liverpool/Liverpool) took the kick and sent a ball into the box where senior Matt Howe (Hopewell Junction/John Jay) redirected it off the top off his head and over the Saints keeper.
 
The Oneonta defense stiffened and held the Saints to no shots over the final 18 minutes of play.
 
Fecci was named the Offensive MVP of the tournament while senior Tristan Battistoni (Pleasant Valley/Arlington) was selected as the Defensive MVP.  Howe and Sipos were joined on the All-Tournament Team by senior Jeremy Pantoni (Goshen/Goshen) and junior Malcolm Swett (Riverhead/Riverhead).
 
Just the Stats
Oneonta came out on top in shots, 16-9 and corners, 9-2.  Oneonta keeper Nate Hanna (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) made a pair of saves today while Ben Woelfinger recorded four saves.
 
What's Next
Oneonta will be at home once again next Saturday when they host RIT beginning 1pm.