Cortland Sports Information Department
CORTLAND, NY – Graduate student Mateo Marra (Ossining) scored both Red Dragon goals, leading the nationally 18th-ranked Cortland men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Oswego in the first round of the SUNYAC Tournament on Saturday afternoon. Cortland improves to 14-3-4 and advances to Wednesday's semifinals at second-seeded Oneonta, while Oswego finishes the season at 8-5-4.
Marra's goals were his 10th and 11th goals of the season, and he led the Red Dragons with two shots on goal. Logan Comfort (Cazenovia) provided an assist, and Jordan Ott (Fort Worth, TX/Southwest Christian) stopped all eight shots on goal that he faced for his seventh shutout of the season.
Kyle Gehnrich had five shots on goal for the Lakers, while Kyle Rose made three saves in goal.
The teams each had one shot attempt on goal in the opening 15 minutes, with both goalkeepers being able to make a save to keep the game scoreless.
Marra created a chance for Cortland in the 16th minute, but pulled his shot just wide of the left post as Rose, looked to be beaten.
A deflected shot in the 21st minute for Oswego almost caused problems for the Red Dragons, as Benjamin Brooks' deflected attempt went into the netting just above the Cortland goal as Ott stretched to reach it.
Marra gave Cortland the lead in the 40th minute from the penalty spot after Matias Valenzuela Matic (Santiago, Chile/Northwood School) was hauled down in the penalty box. Marra stepped up and slotted his kick to the right side of the net as Rose dove the other way. Cortland maintained the one-goal advantage into halftime.
In the 50th minute, Muiz Bayewu (Lagos, Nigeria/Albany, NY) nearly doubled Cortland's lead, but his shot into the top left corner of the net was saved well by Rose.
Gehnrich had a pair of opportunities thwarted just minutes later, as Ott dove to his left to make one save, and then Sam LaMendola (Buffalo/Williamsville South) blocked another shot attempt from distance.
The Red Dragons immediately flew forward, and a give-and-go between Marra and Comfort resulted in Cortland's second goal. Marra sent a pass to Comfort in the middle of the field about fourth yards from goal and took off towards the end line. Comfort returned the favor with a lofted pass over the defense, which Marra was able to take in stride and finish into the right side of the net.
In the 83rd minute, Ott was forced into making another diving save to deny Gehnrich, this time stretching to the right to parry a shot into the corner.
Cortland nearly made it 3-0 in the 86th minute, as Jake Chung (Bellevue, WA) picked a defender's pocket near midfield and raced in along on goal. Right as Chung was taking the shot, it was blocked away by a sliding tackle from an Oswego defender.
Cortland was able to hold the ball in the Oswego end of the field for the final minutes to secure the win.
Cortland 2, Oswego 0
Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
Cortland: Mateo Marra 2-0, Logan Comfort 0-1
Oswego: none
Halftime: Cortland 1, Oswego 0
Shots: Oswego 20, Cortland 16
Corner Kicks: Oswego 11, Cortland 6
Fouls: Cortland 15, Oswego 6
Saves: Jordan Ott (Cortland) 8 saves (0 GA in 90:00), Kyle Rose (Oswego) 3 saves (2 GA in 90:00)
Record after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 14-3-4 (ranked 18th nationally in Division III); Oswego (Lakers) 8-5-4
