ONEONTA, N.Y. -- An early two-goal deficit led to the SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team dropping their first match of the season to Vassar College, 2-1, Saturday afternoon. Junior
Sam Rogers (Broadalbin, N.Y./Broadalbin-Perth) recorded Oneonta's goal in the 54th minute while junior
AJ Lucas (Beacon, N.Y.) finished with four saves. The Red Dragons moved to 2-1-2 this season and the Brewers improved to 4-1 overall.
Vassar gained the lead in the 11th minute when Arden Tobolski passed it to Jackson Hall at the top right corner of the penalty area. Hall gave a quick pass back to Tobolski and he shot it into the right side of the net. The Brewers extended their lead in the 30th minute off an own goal. Tobolski shot the ball from the left side of the penalty area and had it saved by Lucas, however Lucas' deflection went towards an Oneonta defender who redirected it in.
In the 54th minute, junior
Dillon Kelly (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Beacon) passed the ball to Rogers on the right side of the field. Rogers dribbled down towards the penalty area's baseline and shot the ball past the Brewers goalie into the far post and in for the goal. The Red Dragons had a couple chances for the equalizer but came up short. In the 60th minute, freshman
Tommy Kliampas (Huntington Station, N.Y.) received a pass from junior
Zach Rabadi (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) near the goal area for an open shot, however Kliampas pushed the ball just right of the net. Senior
Ali Somow (Utica, N.Y./Proctor) took a direct kick from 20 yards out in the 70th minute, but Vassar's Jacob Raphan made a leaping save to hit out of play.
Raphan had five saves for the Brewers. Oneonta outshot Vassar, 14-11, 6-5 on target, and was up 9-3 on corner kicks.
The Red Dragons' next game is their first road match this season as they make a quick trip to Hartwick for the Battle of the Hills on Wednesday, September 18, at 6:30 pm.
