Game of the Week: Oneonta upsets Potsdam in the first round of the women's soccer SUNYAC tournament
CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) has selected the double overtime upset by Oneonta over Potsdam in the first round of the women's soccer SUNYAC championship as its game of the week. The four-seed Bears, having one of their best seasons in the last few years, saw it end early when they hosted the five-seed Red Dragons over the weekend and were defeated, 2-1.
The scoring was opened up in the 21st minute when Potsdam's freshman forward, Lexi Dean (Schnectady, N.Y.), took a pass from junior midfielder, Brooke Falsion (Brockport, N.Y.) and booted it into the upper right corner of the goal. Down 1-0 late in the first half, Oneonta would respond in the 33rd minute as freshman defender, Jennifer Kinsley (Washingtonville, N.Y.), blasted a shot on net that hit the crossbar, freshman forward, Micaela Honsinger (New Hartford, N.Y.) collected the loose ball in front of the goal and buried it in the back of the net to tie the game, 1-1, right before halftime.
Although there were plenty of scoring opportunities, the second half was scoreless, sending the game into overtime still tied, 1-1. the first overtime period passed without a goal thanks to strong defense and goaltending from both squads. Finally, in the second overtime period, Oneonta senior defender, Emily Opalinski (East Amherst, N.Y.), put a shot on net off a set piece from about thirty yards out. On an amazing effort, the shot was blocked by Potsdam goalie, Delphine Leonard (Montreal, Que.), and deflected back into play where junior midfielder, Jess Downin (Franklin, N.Y.), headed the ball back into the net to give the Red Dragons a 2-1 upset victory. Oneonta will travel to face top seed Geneseo November 1, a team they previously upset earlier in the season, as they try to continue their Cinderella run in the SUNYAC tournament.
