ONEONTA, N.Y. -- The Oneonta women's soccer team trailed by a pair of goals during the second half until sophomores
Bella Mattoni (Valhalla, NY/Valhalla) and
Violet Mattoni (Valhalla, NY/Valhalla) found the back of the net to earn the team a conference point and a 2-2 draw against Plattsburgh, Saturday afternoon at Red Dragon Field. V. Mattoni scored the first goal in the 65th minute off an assist from junior
Devyn Kelly (Wappingers Falls, NY/Beacon), then she assisted B. Mattoni on the equalizer in the 75th minute. The draw improved the Red Dragons record to 4-3-2 this season, 1-0-1 in the SUNAYC, and the Cardinals to 4-2-4 overall and 1-0-1 in conference play.
"A tremendous effort as a collective to lock in, believe and battle back from two down," said Head Coach
Mara Primmer. "We hope to use that grit for two tough away games this upcoming week."
Plattsburgh took an early 2-0 lead after Sydney Myers scored in the 8th and 13th minute. Senior
Caroline Schimitsch (Little Neck, NY/The Mary Louis Academy) and V. Mattoni each had two shots on goal in the first half, as the Red Dragons recorded six shots on target, but the Cardinal keeper made the stops.
Oneonta kept the pressure on Plattsburgh to start the second half, with a shot on goal from Kelly in the 54th minute then V. Mattoni hit the post in the 56th. The Red Dragons broke the drought and got on the board in the 65th minute on a free kick. Kelly took the free kick from near midfield for the team and sent the ball into the middle of the 18-yard box, where V. Mattoni headed in the goal. The score was Mattoni's second of the season and Kelly's second assist.
The momentum continued in the Red Dragons favor with the game-tying score in the 75th minute. Kelly forced the Cardinals to turn the ball over in their defensive third, and it went to V. Mattoni. The sophomore Red Dragon immediately passed it to B. Mattoni, who took one touch then fired the ball to score bar down from 25 yards out. The goal was B. Mattoni's team-leading fourth of the season, while V. Mattoni leads Oneonta with five assists.
In the 89th minute, Plattsburgh had the final chance with a header from Kyra Whitman, but junior
Emily Hardison (Coram, NY/Longwood) was able to gather the ball for the save, maintaining the tie.
Hardison collected three saves for the Red Dragons. V. Mattoni finished with four shots on goal, while Schimitsch recorded two shots on target.
Desiree DuBois finished with nine saves for Plattsburgh. Myers scored both goals for the Cardinals and totaled two shots on goal. Whitman also recorded a pair of shots on target.
Oneonta outshot Plattsburgh 19-8 in total shots, 11-5 on target, and both teams recorded five corner kicks.
The Red Dragons are on the road for their next match on Wednesday, October 7, for a SUNYAC match at Potsdam at 4 pm.
