A Quick Look
The SUNY Oneonta women's lacrosse team opened the 2020 season with a 13-11 setback to RPI on Saturday afternoon at Red Dragon Field.

The Inside Story
After RPI jumped out to an early 2-0 in the first 1:02 of the game, Sophia Calabrese (Bethlehem/Bethlehem Central) put the Red Dragons on the board on a feed from Lily Avazis (Port Washington/Schreiber). The Engineers added to their lead with a pair of goals within 30 seconds of each other. Oneonta would pull within one with goals from Shannon Giddens (Franklin Square/H Frank Carey) and Victoria Varone (Commack/Commack) to make the score 4-3. RPI responded with a 5-0 run to take a 9-3 lead with 15:30 remaining in the first half. The Red Dragons would climb back into the game with three straight goals to end the half. Freshman Megan Foiles (Pearl River/Pearl River) netted her first collegiate goal with 12:42 remaining in the half with a nifty spin move in front of the RPI net. Lily Avazis (Port Washington/Schreiber) and Sophia Calabrese (Bethlehem/Bethlehem Central) closed out the first half with goals to make the score 9-6 at the break.

After RPI opened the second half with two quick goals, Shannon Gibbens scored for Oneonta on a man-advantage opportunity to make the score 11-7. The Engineers would score back-to-back goals 43 seconds apart to put the Red Dragons in a 13-7 hole. Oneonta responded four unanswered goals to end the game. Christen Patalano (Mineola/Kellenberg Memorial) got the run started with free-position goal. Victoria Varone (Commack/Commack) scored the second goal on a pass from Sophia Calabrese (Bethlehem/Bethlehem Central). Just 24 seconds later, Christen Patalano (Mineola/Kellenberg Memorial) struck again on a pass from Lily Avazis (Port Washington/Schreiber). Avazis would wrap up the scoring with free-position goal with 1:33 remaining in regulation. Oneonta had their chance to pull within a goal after Sophia Calabrese (Bethlehem/Bethlehem Central) won the ensuing draw control. A Victoria Varone (Commack/Commack) shot hit the post and RPI was able to gather the ground ball, running out the remainder of the clock.

Just the Stats
RPI outshot Oneonta by a slim 33-30 margin. The Red Dragons were 17-for-21 on clear attempts while picking up 17 ground balls. Oneonta goalie Lexi Keen (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa) made 12 saves in the loss. Haley Vermette (Brewster/North Salem) led the Red Dragons on defense with three caused turnovers and three ground balls. As a team, Oneonta caused nine turnovers for the game. Lily Avazis (Port Washington/Schreiber) led the Oneonta offense with five points, scoring a pair of goals while dishing out three assists.

What's Next
The Red Dragons return to action on Saturday, February 29th when they travel to Farmingdale State for a 1:00pm tilt with the Rams.