Oneonta, NY. The SUNY Oneonta field hockey team defeated defending SUNYAC champion SUNY Geneseo in a double overtime thriller on All College Field. The Red Dragons improved to 1-0 in the SUNYAC and 5-2 overall whereas the Knights fell to 1-1 in the SUNYAC and 3-4 overall.
The scoring opened up in the 9
th minute of the game in favor of the Red Dragons. Junior
Allyson Wells (Niskayuna/Niskayuna) broke the 0-0 tie with a goal that she bounced in off of a defender to take a 1-0 lead. The Knights pressed on and fought to tie the game at one in the 18
th minute when Cara Stafford punched in a goal from in front of the net off of a scramble, 1-1. The period ended relatively even with Oneonta having one more shot than Geneseo (4-3) and Geneseo having two more corners than Oneonta (5-3).
In the second period the Knights broke the 1-1 tie, when Giovanna Fasanello dribbled into the circle and beat the goaltender to give the Knights their first lead of the game. About 14 minutes later, senior
Sierra Palmatier (Nineveh/Afton Central) found the back of the cage with a shot that was rifled from the top of the circle. The equalizing goal brought the game back to an even keel, 2-2. At the end of regulation the game was tied 2-2 with Geneseo out shooting Oneonta, 6-4.
Heading into the first overtime period, the Red Dragons defense played as a solid unit that was anchored by outstanding play between the pipes by sophomore
Danell Jones (Whitney Point/Whitney Point). In the period she had five saves on eight shots. Jones finished the game with double digit saves (10) and improved her record to 4-2/1-0 SUNYAC.
In the second and final overtime period, the Red Dragons and Knights battled back and forth for field position. The shot that decided the contest came off of the stick of senior
Nicole Johnston (Bedford Village/Fox Lane) for her fifth goal of the season. Johnston found pay dirt, after she received a cross from Palmatier out in front of the net. The assist was Palmatier's second of the season and third point of the game (1g, 1a).
The Red Dragons are back at home tomorrow against SUNY Brockport at 1PM on All College Field.
Â
Â
Â