Upstate Update - Week 2

By D3soccer.com Contributor

The Upstate Update brings you up to speed on Division III men's soccer in the "Upstate" New York region, home to the SUNYAC, Liberty League, and Empire 8. Several key matches will be recapped each week along with a more in-depth look at a Game of the Week.

Game of the Week

St. Lawrence at Rochester

The biggest game of the weekend was St. Lawrence at Rochester. Both teams have been stellar over the past few seasons and were highly ranked in early NSCAA preseason poll. This match-up was a chance for both programs to see where they are a few weeks prior to conference play.

The season thus far

Rochester stumbled out of the gate with a tough 3-2 loss at home to a very good Morrisville State (3-1-0) . Although they rebounded to beat Buffalo State, another home loss for the Yellow Jackets would not be appreciated by the passionate Rochester fans. St. Lawrence, meanwhile, had opened the season with two impressive wins, but there were early defensive concerns after allowing two goals in the first game of the year on the heels of a 16-shutout season.

Game On

Five goals in 16 first-half minutes decided this one, with the Yellow Jackets walking away with a well deserved win. Rochester was extremely clinical, scoring three goals on three shots, while proving their defensive mettle by keeping the Saints frustrated the entire second half. The Man-of-the-Match was Nick Pastore. The senior came off the bench to score a brace as his class defeated St. Lawrence for the first time in their collegiate careers. The Saints were led by the consistent Morgan Smith (Jr.) who is quickly becoming a fan favorite in his second year.

Take Away

Both teams will look to improve the rest of the way and will continue what has become a very strong rivalry next year, . . . unless they meet in November. St. Lawrence must mend defensive problems before the start of league play, while Rochester will look to build on this win as they face their third consecutive opponent from the Liberty League, the improved Hobart

Around the Region

A battle of undefeated teams saw the men of RPI (3-0-1) attempt to ‘Engineer’ a win over the Brockport Golden Eagles (1-0-3). A strong defensive effort saw both teams keep their undefeated records intact in a scoreless draw.

Clarkson (2-1-1) meanwhile continued its impressive start to the Chris Taylor era with a gritty 0-0 tie on the road against a tough Rochester (2-1-1).

St. Lawrence (3-1-0) bounced back with a hard fought 2-1 OT victory against a much improved Geneseo State (2-2-0).

Teams of the Week

Vassar and Oneonta State

People are starting to take notice of the 2011 Final Four participant Oneonta State as the Red Dragons begin the season with three wins, three shutouts, and nine goals. Vassar (4-0-1) will look to put an end to Oneonta’s strong start when the two meet next weekend in Poughkeepsie.