SUNYAC Game of the Week: Oneonta tops Geneseo in double overtime in a rematch of 2016 SUNYAC final
The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) has selected the double-overtime victory of Oneonta field hockey over Geneseo on September 22 as its game of the week. The rematch of last year's SUNYAC field hockey championship played out just as anticipated, even ending in the same score 3-2, this time in favor of the Red Dragons.
This back and forth game really got started when Oneonta junior, Allyson Wells, put her team on the board just nine minutes into the game. The defending SUNYAC champs weren't going to go away that early and that easily, proving that by evening the score less than 10 minutes later with a goal from senior Cara Stafford.
The two teams entered half time with a goal each and ready to try and pull away for the victory come the second half. Geneseo senior Giovanna Fasarello scored a goal about halfway into the second that gave the Knights their first lead of the game. With time winding down in regulation Oneonta senior, Sierra Palmatier, scored to tie the game up.
Heading into overtime tied 2-2 is nothing unfamiliar to these two teams considering that was the exact situation in the SUNYAC final last season, where the Knights won 3-2 in the extra session. This time around saw a few different outcomes such as a clean first overtime and the need to continue to the second. The latter of the differences saw Oneonta senior, Nicole Johnston score the game winner late in double overtime off a pass of the Red Dragon that was responsible for the game-tying goal, Sierra Palmatier.
Palmatier's three-point (1 goal, 1 assist) performance along with goalie and SUNYAC Defensive Athlete of the Week for field hockey, Danell Jones' 10 saves are major keys that helped avenge last years SUNYAC final result for Oneonta and at 5-2 overall this season, starting this years' SUNYAC play 1-0 the Red Dragons seem to be right on track for a possible return back to the top of the conference.
