ONEONTA, N.Y. -- In a physical match with seven total cards, the No. 15 SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team recorded a 1-1 draw against Plattsburgh State in conference play, Wednesday afternoon. Senior
John Bernardi (Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac) scored the equalizer for the Red Dragons in the 44th minute off a penalty kick as the team improved to 12-2-1 on the season and 5-2-1 in the conference, while the Cardinals moved to 7-2-5 overall and 2-2-4 in SUNYAC. Following the result, Oneonta clinched a spot in the SUNYAC Tournament which starts next weekend. Â
"You have to give credit to Plattsburgh for the way they defended the second half, being down a man," said head coach
Iain Byrne. "We just can't seem to get out of second gear and get flowing like we were earlier in the year." Â
Plattsburgh struck first in the 33rd minute when Brian Coughlan took a free kick from 25 yards out and had the ball one-hop into the right side of the net for the score. After the goal, Cardinals Bradyn Primus and Xavier Kamba received a couple yellow cards as the Red Dragons were looking to tie the match. In the 44th minute, Primus earned a second yellow card after freshman
Jonathan Shank (North Babylon, N.Y./North Babylon) kicked the ball and hit his forearm in the box, setting up a penalty kick. Bernardi took the kick and went to the lower right side for the goal. Â
Despite being down a man the whole second half, Plattsburgh's defense managed to hold on to the tie. Oneonta had several shots blocked throughout the half and only had senior
Robert Bruschini (Wilton, N.Y./South Glens Falls) and sophomore
Milton Mancias Magana (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) register a shot on goal, which were both saved.
Junior
Jax Flugel (Rochester, N.Y./) finished the game with one save and Teddy Healy made four saves for the Cardinals.
Oneonta outshot Plattsburgh by a considerable margin, 19-3, 4-2 on net, and had a 14-2 advantage on corner kicks.
The Red Dragons are back in action Saturday for Senior Day and their final regular season home game against Buffalo State at 1 pm.Â
