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
Oneonta State at Vassar
This week the giants of SUNYAC travelled to Poughkeepsie to face Liberty League titan Vassar in a meeting of undefeated teams. This lovely afternoon ball game would prove the setting of a conference proxy war as two proud programs with big expectations prepared for battle.
The season thus far
Oneonta State entered the weekend ranked fifteenth in the latest D3soccer.com Top 25, boasting an unblemished record and a defense that had not been breached all season. Seniors on this team will have grand memories of 2011 and big dreams for this fall. Vassar was likewise enjoying the young season. Vassar is clearly a team on the rise, making strong NCAA appearances in both 2011 and 2012. This team plays total football and has a home turf that encourages the beautiful game.
Game On
The visitors were in an attacking mood and capitalized in the 21st minute when sophomore Hanz Purtell headed home for a 1-0 lead. Despite continued pressure from the Red Dragons the score remained unchanged for the remainder of the half. Oneonta would strike three times in the second half before Vassar pulled one back in the 85th minute to make the final score 4-1.
Take Away
Vassar (5-1-1) will learn from this loss and have an idea of improvements that must be made before the start of what will be a grueling league schedule. Oneonta (5-0-0) meanwhile will look to continue this great form and maintaining its amazing goals against average intact.
Around the Region
Cortland State (4-2-0) defeated Ithaca (0-3-1) by a score of 2-0 to win their fourth game in a row after a pair of losses to open the season. It’s a good early season recovery for a solid program.
Skidmore (4-2-0) recovered from last week's loss to SUNY Canton by shutting out Sage (1-4-0) and beating Nazareth (2-2-0) by a 4-1 score.
Hobart (3-2-0) fell by the score of 2-0 to a Rochester team moving from strength to strength. With the win the “U of R” are now a solid 3-1-1.
A battle of former champions saw St. Lawrence travel to Brockport State in an attempt to end the Golden Eagle’s undefeated season. Freshman David Medina scored the biggest goal in his collegiate career in double overtime to hand Brockport, now 3-0-3, the 1-0 win.
Empire 8 powerhouse Stevens (2-3-0) continued its up and down start to the season by dropping a 1-0 decision to Muhlenberg while Buffalo State (1-5-0) lost a heartbreaker to St. Lawrence 4-3 in an old fashioned Upstate shootout that raised the Saints record to 4-2-0.
RPI continues their great form to start the season and are now 5-0-1 after a four goal dismantling of Salem State. RPI should enjoy their well-deserved rest this week as Liberty League opponent Skidmore, Oneonta State, and Williams are the next three games on tap for Clinton’s men.
Teams of the Week
Oneonta State and Cortland State
Oneonta State are on a mission, and their league brethren Cortland State will ensure the SUNYAC is heard from come November.