ONEONTA, N.Y. -- The SUNY Oneonta men's lacrosse team came up short in their non-conference game against Stevens Institute of Technology, 10-5, Monday afternoon. Freshman Jamie O'Neil (Bath, N.Y./Haverling) and senior Owen Vail (Massapequa Park/Massapequa) both scored twice in the contest as the Red Dragons fell to 1-2 on the season and the Ducks improved to 5-1.  

Senior Sam Haita (Stephentown/La Salle Institute) tied the game at 10:55 in the first after he brought the ball into the attack area, pump faked his defender to create separation and go left side for the goal. Following a goal from Steven's Kevin Crowley, O'Neil recorded his first to tie the game at two at 5:57. O'Neil received the ball in the back of the attack zone, backed down his defender towards the cage and dipped below the defenseman's shoulder for a sidearm shot for the goal. Crowley scored his second of the game before the end of the first to put the Ducks ahead one.

Keegan Hughes made it 4-2 at 11:29 in the second before Vail answered back halfway through the period when he took his defender on his left side into the attack zone, spun past the Duck defenseman and beat the goalie low. Less than a minute later, Stevens scored on a man-up opportunity then extended their lead to three at 4:50 with a goal from Matt Pergola. The Ducks had a chance to add another goal before the half with man-up opportunities, including 39 seconds where they were up two men, but the Red Dragons defense held them off. With 49 seconds left, Vail scored his second to make it a two-goal game going into halftime. Similar to his first score, Vail went left on his defender, but this time got a step ahead of him to get near the crease and five-holed the goalie.

The Ducks held the Red Dragons scoreless in the third and increased their lead to 9-4 with three goals from Crowley, Hughes, and Jake Connelly.  

Oneonta scored with 12:34 remaining in the game, when junior Jesse AlfanoStJohn (Westhampton Beach/Westhampton Beach) picked up the ball in the defensive side of the field, sprinted into the attack zone and passed it to junior Matthew Krieg (Port Jefferson Station/Comsewogue) who dished it down low near the left side of the net to O'Neil for the goal. The Red Dragons were unable to close the gap any further, and the Ducks tallied one more with a couple minutes to go for the 10-5 final.  

Junior Harrison Boukas (North Massapequa/Plainegde) had a career-high 23 saves for Oneonta and junior Stephen Sommo (Floral Park/Floral Park) won seven of his 14 faceoffs.  

Ryan Leahy recorded 10 saves for Stevens and Andrew Muller won eight of 16 faceoffs.  

The Red Dragons are back in action Thursday when they make the short trip to Hartwick for a 4 pm start. Read Full Article