ONEONTA, N.Y. -- After a physical, scoreless, first half, the No. 15 SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team hit the back of the net twice for a 2-0 win over Hartwick in the Battle of the Hills, Monday afternoon. Sophomore Sam Rogers (Broadalbin, N.Y./Broadalbin-Perth) hit the game-winning goal in the 64th minute and Milton Mancias Magana (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) added the second in the 89th. The Red Dragons improved to 2-0 following the win while the Hawks moved to 0-2.

"It was a real test today against an emerging Hartwick team that were in the game right until we got the second goal at the end of the match," said head coach Iain Byrne. "We had some great chances to score but their keeper made some clutch saves."

Hartwick played aggressively throughout the match, allowing themselves to get the first shot on target in the 7th minute, but senior Nate Hanna (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) made the stop. Oneonta had a couple opportinties in the first half to get on the board, however they came up empty for a scoreless first half.  

The Red Dragons began to pick up speed as the second half progressed and finally scored. In the 64th minute, they moved the ball out of their zone and up to Mancias Magana at midfield and he passed it to sophomore Joe Holder (Greenwood Lake, N.Y./Warwick). Holder gave a centering pass to sophomore Ali Sumow who created space from his defender for a shot that was saved by Hawk's Dante Gesamondo. Rogers came running in for the rebound and had two shots saved before he kicked the ball over Gesamondo's head for the goal.

Hartwick tried to get the equalizer, but the backline of seniors John Bernardi (Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac), Ian Zingaro (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool), junior Derek Marques (Somers, N.Y./Somers), and sophomore Dillon Kelly (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Beacon) shut down every chance they had. As time was winding down, Mancias Magana tallied the second goal. Marques found Holder up the field and he one touched it to Mancias Magana in the penalty area who flicked the ball over a charging Gesamondo for the score.

"It's always a relief to win your home opener, and now we look forward to the Mayor's Cup tournament next weekend," Byrne concluded.

Hanna recorded his second shutout of the season with one save. Gesamondo recorded six saves for Hartwick.

The Red Dragons outshot the Hawks 17-1 and held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.  

Oneonta is back in action Friday when they host Merchant Marine at 3:30 pm for the start of the annual Mayor's Cup tournament. Read Full Article