Upstate Update - Week 2

By Mani Tafari

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 Oneonta

Saturday, September 7

The Saints and the Red Dragons have been the elite programs in the region for more than a decade.

Recent challenges by Bombers, Statesmen and the Red Dragons of Cortland has made life at the top extremely difficult and tenuous for both St. Lawrence and Oneonta.

Programs that remain strong over a generation or more have figured out that in order to be consistently good, a team must constantly reload and not rebuild.

Great programs do not normally play must win games in September, but with at least a half dozen programs in the region looking to qualify for only a couple Pool C bids, it is never a bad thing to get an early season win against a strong team.

The Season Thus Far

St. Lawrence entered the game with a 1-1-0 record after splitting the opening weekend of the season at home.

Oneonta meanwhile were 2-0-0 and looking to continue their winning ways at home.

Game On

The Red Dragons were breathing fire at the start of the game and the Saints could not deal with the sustained heat.

The game was 3-0 after 33 minutes. A high Oneonta press made it impossible for St. Lawrence to play their preferred passing style or keep possession in the defensive end.

The Saints pulled one back before conceding again in the 45th minute as the hosts took a 4-1 advantage to the locker room at half time.

St. Lawrence was a different team in the second half and attacked like a team possessed. Wave after wave was dealt with very well by a very disciplined Red Dragon defense who would only be breached by an unstoppable 25-yard free kick by St. Lawrence freshman Marvin Sibanda. The Red Dragons would go on to win the game 4-2 and despite an amazing second half performance by the Saints, were deserved winners.

Take Away

Red Dragon striker Witman Hernandez is playing the game at an amazing level. His brace against St. Lawrence is just a sample of things to come.

St. Lawrence is a young team that must grow up quickly before the unforgiving Liberty League schedule begins.

Around the Region

Brockport 5, Clarkson 1 - Brockport looks to build on a successful 2018 season while the Golden Knights are hit with a dose of reality.

Alfred 4, Baruch 3 - The Saxons earn an impressive win after a wild shootout.

Stevens 2, Springfield 0 - With five straight wins to start the season, these Ducks are doing much more than just treading water.

New Paltz 1, Vassar 0 - The SUNYAC continues its domination over the Liberty League in this week’s action.

RPI 2, Williams 1 - This classic rivalry continues between these two great programs. RPI are engineering perhaps the best start of all Liberty League teams.

Skidmore 3, St. John Fisher 0 - Skidmore going strong. Still undefeated in 2019.

Geneseo 2, Houghton 1 - Knights begin the year with four straight wins and stifling defense.

Hobart 1, Potsdam 0 - The Statesmen have their most impressive start in recent memory.

D’Youville 4, Wells 3 - A come from behind road win in the 88th minute. Shaping up to be a good season for the Spartans.

Delhi 3, Bard 1 - Bard suffers another tough loss after a good performance.

Team of the Week

Oneonta State

There might just be another battle of Dragons this season.

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