ONEONTA, N.Y. -- The SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team recorded a goal in each half to cruise to a 2-0 SUNYAC victory over Potsdam, Saturday afternoon on Red Dragon Field. Senior
Ali Somow (Utica, N.Y./Proctor) netted the game-winner in the 15th minute, then senior
Luigi Prosperi (Lynbrook, N.Y./Lynbrook) added an insurance goal in the 50th. Junior
AJ Lucas (Beacon, N.Y./Beacon) collected five saves in his fourth shutout this season as the Red Dragons improved to 7-1-3, 3-0-0 in SUNYAC play, and the Bears dropped to 4-5-2 overall and 0-3-0 in the conference.
"We had a lot of possession, but we didn't create enough chances," said head coach
Iain Byrne. "It's another three points and a good start to the conference."
Oneonta broke the tie in the 15th when senior
Derek Marques (Somers, N.Y./Somers) sent a long lead pass from midfield to Somow who gained control of the ball and shot it on his second touch from the top of the penalty area. Somow's goal was his fifth of the season and he has now recorded a goal in the past three games.
Potsdam had a couple chances to tie it in the final minute of the first half. Thomas Wendel shot one from just inside the 18-yard box that forced Lucas to leap and swat it away for the save, setting up a Potsdam corner. Off the corner kick, Wiley Dawson-Beilby headed the ball towards the net, but Lucas got his hands on it and sophomore
Zach Tanner (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Saint Anthony's HS) kicked the ball away from the net.
The Red Dragons added to their lead in the 50th minute when junior
Sam Rogers (Broadalbin, N.Y./Broadalbin-Perth) received the ball off a free kick near the Oneonta sideline. Rogers cut towards the center of the field to get past one defender and delivered a centering pass in front of the goal area, where Prosperi flew in and karate kicked it with his back heel over the Potsdam goalkeeper's head. Prosperi's score was his sixth of the season, the team-high, and it was his fourth straight game with a goal.
Lucas Schiel finished with six saves for the Bears. Oneonta outshot Potsdam 17-8 overall, 8-5 on target, and held a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks.
The Red Dragons start a three-game road stint with Plattsburgh State on Wednesday, October 9, at 4 pm.
