NEW PALTZ, N.Y. -- The SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team defeated New Paltz in a SUNYAC match on the road, 2-0, Wednesday afternoon. Senior
Luigi Prosperi (Lynbrook, N.Y./Lynbrook) gave Oneonta the early lead in the second minute of play off an assist from junior
Dillon Kelly (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Beacon), then senior
Ali Somow (Utica, N.Y./Proctor) extended it to a two-goal game in 84th minute. The Red Dragons improved to 10-3-3 on the season, 6-2 in the conference, while the Hawks dropped to 9-6-1 overall and 5-2-1 in SUNYAC play.
"We were really up for the game today," said head coach
Iain Byrne. "We were fortunate to get an early goal and then survived a couple of scares, but we were a threat to score all game. We finish our season on Saturday and then look forward to the playoffs."
In the 2nd minute of the contest, Kelly stole a pass from New Paltz and got it to Somow for a shot that was blocked by a defender. The ball bounced to the sideline of the penalty area where Kelly regained possession and sent a pass on his first touch to Prosperi near the goal area. Prosperi had one defender on him as he got his foot on the ball for an off-balanced shot that found its way into the lower left side of the goal.
The Red Dragons weathered a couple of the Hawks' scoring chances before adding the second goal to their lead in the 84th minute. New Paltz threw the ball into the 18-yard box and had it kicked away from the net towards midfield. Freshman
Nico Loaiza (Brentwood, N.Y./Brentwood) chased down the loose ball, took a few dribbles and sent a long lead pass to Somow. Somow received the ball just near midfield, got past the one Hawks' defender that was challenging him and brought the ball all the way into the right side of the penalty area where he took a shot from 10 yards out and scored into the far side of the net.
Following the win, Prosperi and Somow co-lead the team with seven goals on the season, while Kelly recorded his fourth assist on the year off Prosperi's score. Junior
AJ Lucas (Beacon, N.Y./Beacon) finished with one save in his sixth shutout of the season. Christian Micheli ended with six saves for the Hawks.
Oneonta outshot New Paltz, 15-9 total, 8-2 on target, and held a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
The Red Dragons wrap up the regular season on Saturday, October 26, with a home SUNYAC match against Fredonia at 11 am on Red Dragon Field.
