Posted: Nov 15, 2015
Another dominating performance today for the SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team, as they defeated Rutgers-Camden, 2-0, to advance to the sectional round of the NCAA tournament for the second straight year and third time in the last five years. Oneonta will learn of when and where they will be playing later tonight or early tomorrow morning.
"We played great today and are rolling," stated Head Coach Iain Byrne. "Camden is a great team and we kept their star forwards relatively quiet today."
Byrne continued, "Being realistic, we had an advantage going into the match with Rutgers playing overtime yesterday while we were able to rest our starters early in our game."
A major reason for Oneonta's late season run has been the play of the defense including senior goalkeeper Vincent Pellegrino (Baldwin/Baldwin). The Red Dragons have kept teams out of range and off the scoreboard for seven straight matches including today. Oneonta has not allowed a goal since Oct. 14 versus Hamilton, a run of 640:37 scoreless minutes. Today Oneonta surrendered six shots, three of which reached Pellegrino.
Today, Pellegrino set the single season mark of seven consecutive shutouts posted while setting the career mark with his 28th individual shutout. The old mark was 27.5 set by David Carter in 1991.
Oneonta (17-3-1) was on top of Rutgers-Camden (14-7-2) from the opening whistle. They peppered freshman keeper James Brett with shot after shot. Brett kept the game scoreless, but it was just a matter of time before the Red Dragons could sneak one past. Brett would finish the match with 11 saves.
That time came in the ninth minute after a diving save by Brett on a direct kick by senior Alex Winiarski (Great Neck/St. Anthony's). Classmate Dylan Williams (Monroe/Monroe-Woodbury) collected the loose ball just outside the left post and sent a pass out front where senior Jared Van Brunt (Sayville/Sayville) pushed it to the back of the goal, as Brett was out of position. For Van Brunt, who is the starting center back, it was his third goal in two days and sixth of the season.
Rutgers and Brett managed to keep Oneonta from scoring another goal for the rest of the half, but the Red Dragons did register 15 shots while keeping the Scarlet Raptors to no shots.
Winiarski figured in the second goal for Oneonta in the 58th minute. He was able to slot a pass through the defense before going to the ground that made it behind the defense. Junior Dillon Johnson (Northport/Northport) slipped past the defenders and wasted no time in getting a shot off that sailed by Brett to the back of the goal.
"Oneonta is a fantastic team," said Rutgers Head Coach Tim Oswald. They can make a run deep in the tournament. We put forth our best effort, but on this day they were better. Yesterday's match took a lot out of us fatigue-wise, and I am proud of the way our guys bounced back. It is a humbling time for us, but one that to learn and grow from."
Haverford, who was the top seed on Oneonta's side of the bracket defeated Washington & Jefferson today, 2-0, which could make them a potential host for next weekend. St. Lawrence and MIT also came through to the sectionals with victories this afternoon. Oneonta's next opponent will be MIT.
