BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The 18th-ranked SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team opened SUNYAC play defeating Buffalo State on the road, 2-0, Saturday afternoon. Seniors Lucas Fecci (Somers, N.Y./Somers) and Ethan Brunell (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) scored in the contest as the Red Dragons improved to 6-0-1 on the season and 1-0-0 in SUNYAC, while the Bengals dropped to 3-3-2 overall and 1-1-0 in conference.

"It's always good to start the conference with a win," said Head Coach Iain Byrne. "We were grateful to Buffalo for gifting us the first goal, and it was really nervy at times, but the second goal sealed it for our first road win of the season."  

Oneonta broke the scoreless tie in the 10th minute when senior Nate Hanna (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) cleared the ball down the field into the Red Dragons offensive zone. As the ball took a high bounce Fecci, a Bengals' defender, and goalie went to the same spot underneath the ball and collided with one another. Fecci regained balance first and had a foot race towards the ball with a different defenseman, but Fecci won with a slide and scored.       

In the 77th minute, Oneonta tacked on their insurance goal. Senior Tristan Battistoni (Pleasant Valley, N.Y./Arlington) passed it into the offensive zone to Brunell who chip shot it over a charging Bengal's goalie, Shae Wirt, for the goal.

Hanna finished the game with seven saves and Wirt ended with two for the Bengals.

Oneonta outshot Buffalo State 17-12 and had a 9-4 advantage on corner kicks.  

The Red Dragons are back in action Wednesday when they travel to face New Paltz for a 4 pm kickoff. Read Full Article