Box Score

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team (11-8-1, 4-5-0 SUNYAC) held an early lead, but was unable to hold on as they were defeated by second-seeded SUNY Oneonta (12-5-1, 7-2-0 SUNYAC), 2-1, in the semifinal round of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament on Friday at the Fieldhouse Sports Complex in Plattsburgh, N.Y.
 
Senior forward Harrison Lane (Glenmont, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) got the Hawks on the board first with his 10th goal of the season in the 15th minute of the game. Senior midfielder Mateo Cordini (Buenos Aires, Argentina/San Martin de Tours) picked up an assist after heading the ball to the front of the net where Lane could beat the keeper.
 
In the 30th minute, Luke Halberg tied the game at one apiece off a cross by Colin Volpe. The contest reached intermission with a 1-1 tie on the scoreboard, but the Red Dragons did not let that last long. Jake Sutherland won a header in the 55th minute, and then beat the defense to pick up the second Red Dragon goal, which proved to be the game winner.
 
The Hawks had an opportunity to equalize late in the game when senior midfielder Shanshe Khosroshvili (Brooklyn, N.Y./Edward R. Murrow) blasted a shot from inside the box toward the top of the net. Oneonta goalkeeper Daniel DeBottis needed every inch of his six-foot frame to reach up and grab the ball before it could sneak under the crossbar, saving the game for the Red Dragons.
 
DeBottis earned the victory for Oneonta, making two saves and allowing just one goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Steven Domino (Valatie, N.Y./Ichabod Crane) shouldered the loss, giving up a pair of goals and stopping a single shot.
 
Friday's semifinal matchup did not see many scoring opportunities. The Hawks managed to outshoot Oneonta by a 9-8 margin, while the teams were even with three shots on goal each. New Paltz picked up the only two corner kicks on the afternoon.
 
The Hawks' season comes to a close after picking up a win in the SUNYAC Tournament for the first time since 2004. The team's 11 victories were the most the program has earned since that same 2004 season, when they went 12-10. Head coach Gene Ventriglia has led the team to the SUNYAC Tournament in both of his first two years at the helm.