ONEONTA, NY (November 13, 2022) -- Host SUNY Oneonta scored a goal in each half in the NCAA Second Round, knocking off the Tufts University men's soccer team 2-0 in action from Red Dragon Field Sunday. Tufts finishes the 2022 season 8-3-7, while posting an NCAA appearance and NCAA Tournament victory for the ninth consecutive campaign.
The Jumbos actually had the run of play and outshot their hosts in the first half, taking six of the game's nine shots in the opening stanza. The Red Dragons (15-2-3) would get on the board in the 21st minute though, as Lucas Fecci headed in a cross from Ethan Brunell for his 13th goal of the season.
Tufts had a solid chance in the 34th minute as a shot by
Ian Daly was saved by Nate Hanna. Later in the half,
Woovin Shin cleared some space but his attempt fired wide right. Tufts earned a corner kick in the half, but couldn't create a chance as the game went to halftime.
The contest stayed as a 1-0 Oneonta lead until the 74th minute when the Red Dragons countered off a free kick from the Jumbos, and John Bernardi tucked a shot inside the left post for the insurance goal. Tufts would pressure over the last 15 minutes but wasn't able to convert on its free kick and corner kick chances as the Red Dragons clinched the win.
The visiting Jumbos finished with a slight 7-5 advantage in shots, though Oneonta posted a 4-3 lead in shots on goal. Both teams were given four corner kicks on the game, while
Erik Lauta made two saves on the day for Tufts. Shin posted two shots, one going on net, while Daly and
James Gunn each had shots on target as well.
"I am incredibly proud of this group for all they accomplished this season," said head coach
Kyle Dezotell. "The talent and leadership we lost after the 2021 season was immense and it would have been very easy to consider this a 'rebuilding year' but that isn't in the DNA of this program. Our guys earned everything they received this year by being so unified and willing to work for each other. This was easily one of my favorite teams I've ever coached and I'm only disappointed because it's over."
Tufts finished its season after earning its 11th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance. Oneonta moves on to the NCAA Regional semifinals and will play Bowdoin College next weekend.
--JUMBOS--
