Today's soccer match between SUNY Oneonta and Brockport was settled late today on a goal in the 83^rd minute by sophomore Witman Hernandez (Huntington/Walt Whitman) lifting the host Red Dragons to a 1-0 victory.  The win for Oneonta pushed its overall record to 7-1-1 overall and 3-1 in the SUNYAC while the loss dropped Brockport to 6-3-2 overall and 2-1-1 in conference play.
 
"It was another tough game and a mixed performance," stated Head Coach Iain Byrne.  "It was great to get Witman back, and hopefully the goal will reignite his season."
 
Oneonta's goal was started by senior Brandon Arango (Ronkonkoma/Sachem North) who had the ball deep in the box on the left side of the goal.  He sent a pass into the goal area and both Santangelo and Hernandez were charging to the short side.  Santangelo got his foot on the ball and redirected it, but it was knocked to the side.  Hernandez followed and knocked the ball home for the Red Dragons.
 
Both squads used possession and a controlled tempo from the opening whistle.  Neither team could muster up any scoring opportunities except a couple of corner kicks in the first 12 minutes of the match.  The first shot for either team came in the 13^th minute off the foot of senior Kevin Hoff (LaGrange/Arlington) of Oneonta.
 
The first real dangerous shot came from Quintin Volpe of Brockport in the 17^th minute that Oneonta keeper Nicholas Giordano (East Northport/Commack) pushed aside.  Giordano made four saves in the game including a couple in the second half that kept the game knotted at 0-0.  Volpe had a pair of opportunities in close, one in the 52^nd minute and the second in the 60^th minute, which Giordano somehow got a hand on to preserve the scoreless game.
 
Oneonta's first threat came a few minutes later, on a rush into the box by freshman Roberto Ventura (Brentwood/Brentwood) who sent a pass to Giraldo Ritaccio (Westbury/W.T. Clarke) who was pushing forward.  Ritaccio beat the charging keeper to the ball where the ball slipped underneath and was heading for the goal line.  Unfortunately for Oneonta, the ball was taken off the goal line and kicked out of bounds.  This was the first of two balls that were taken off the goal line by Brockport defenders in the first half.
 
The second time came in the 38^th minute on a corner kick.  Ritaccio sent the ball across the goal that was headed back in front by Hoff.  Freshman Scott Cebollero (Commack/Commack) flicked the ball where Cory Santangelo (Sayville/Sayville) took the ball off the bounce and directed towards the goal.  The shot got by the keeper, but there was a defender standing in the way and the ball was cleared out.
 
Oneonta outshot Brockport 14-8 and held a 10-4 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Oneonta will be home again next weekend when they host Plattsburgh and Potsdam.