A Quick Look
In a game that looked like it was headed to overtime, junior Alex Sipos (Merrick/Calhoun) redirected a crossing pass into the back of the goal to give host SUNY Oneonta a 2-1 victory against U Mass Boston today.  The ball was crossed first by junior Lucas Fecci (Somers/Somers) where senior Matt Howe (Hopewell Junction/John Jay) crossed it in front of the goal for Sipos to finish.  The win puts the Red Dragons at 1-0-1 while the Beacons suffered its first loss of the season and are now 2-1 overall.
 
The Inside Story
Oneonta controlled the action for the most part throughout generating multiple scoring chances.
 
The Red Dragons finally connected on a scoring opportunity in the 23^rd minute when junior Lucas Fecci (Somers/Somers) crossed a ball that senior Matt Howe (Hopewell Junction/John Jay) got his head on to redirect it by the Beacon keeper.
 
Seven minutes later, a loose ball bounced over the Beacon keeper and was headed toward the goal before Yuran Taxiera cleared it off the line to save the goal.
 
About one minute later, Oneonta was awarded a penalty kick, which was taken by Fecci, who was the player taken down in the box to draw the call.  Unfortunately, Fecci did not convert the kick having the ball sail over the goal.
 
Oneonta took its 1-0 lead into halftime.
 
The Beacons evened the score early in the second half on a goal by senior Nilton de Andrade.  The play started in the midfield when Estevao Gomes slotted a pass that de Andrade was able to retrieve behind the defense.  De Andrade carried the ball into the box and slid a shot into the lower right corner of the goal.
 
The Red Dragons had a pair of dangerous chances in the 52^nd and 55^th minute but couldn't connect.  The first was a ball that was just chipped over the crossbar by Francesco Posillico (Dix Hills/Half Hollow Hills West) on a cross by Fecci.  The second came in tight to the goal on an indirect kick after the referee ruled that the Beacon keeper picked up the ball after putting it on the ground for play.  The Red Dragons generated a couple of shots, which ended up being blocked.
 
Oneonta was awarded another penalty kick in the 83^rd minute that was taken by junior Malcolm Swett (Riverhead/Riverhead).  Swett put his shot just inside the left post where the Beacon keeper was able to make a diving save.
 
Just the Stats
Oneonta outshot the Beacons 24-4 overall while recording 10 corner kicks and conceding only one.  Oneonta keeper Nate Hanna (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) only had to make one save, which came in the 87^th minute on a shot by de Andrade in close.  Beacons keeper JJ Devine made eight stops in the match.
 
What's Next
Oneonta will be hosting the Mayor's Cup Tournament this weekend.  Its first match is Saturday, Sep. 11 versus Clarkson beginning at 3pm.  On Sunday, they will play St. Lawrence at 3:30pm.