BROCKPORT, N.Y. - The College at Brockport men's soccer team tied SUNY Oneonta Saturday afternoon, by a score of 2-2. With the tie, Brockport moves to 9-2-2 overall record and 4-0-2 in SUNYAC play, while the Red Dragons move to 7-3-3 on the season and 4-1-1 in league action.

The first half saw an uncharacteristically slow start for the Golden Eagles, playing the majority of the first 45 minutes in their defensive end. The Golden Eagles did create a few beautiful chances-- starting early with a fast break for Ayu Jeylani, who beat a Red Dragon defender and put a shot on goal. The early Red Dragon pressure looked like they might have a chance to take the lead on a free kick outside the box but Brockport goalkeeper Tautis Poniskaitis, kept the score tied at zero, making a big save under the crossbar.  At the 42nd minute, it looked like Nikolas Sgaraglio would put the Golden Eagles on the board, stealing the ball from a Oneonta defender and wiring a shot high of the net, sending the Green and Gold into the locker room scoreless.

The second half didn't start in Brockport's favor, just two minutes in, a scrum inside the Brockport box lead to a Oneonta penalty kick; Poniskaitis made the first save but a Red Dragon forward found the rebound, giving them the 1-0 lead.  Following the goal emotions began to run high, creating a physical battle between two strong opponents.

Minutes after the Oneonta goal, it looked like Brockport would have one of their own when Sgaraglio found an opening and let a shot fly, but the Red Dragon goalie was there to shut the door. The Red Dragons would score again at the 59th-minute off a free kick from outside the box, capitalizing on another Brockport slip-up and extending their lead, 2-0.

The Golden Eagles would get some referee luck of their own at the 64th-minute, when a penalty kick was awarded to Quinton Volpe, finding his fourth goal of the 2018 campaign and closing the gap, 2-1. Following the goal, Brockport turned up the intensity, both Jeff Hibbard and Nolan Byrnes rattled shots off the crossbar as the half progressed. The hard work would eventually pay off when a handball in the Oneonta box lead to another Brockport penalty kick, this time awarded to Matthew Stefaniw, who beat the Red Dragons goalie and tied the game at two goals apiece.

For the second time, in the weekend—two overtime periods and 110 minutes of soccer would not be enough to crown a winner. The two teams shared offensive chances in the two overtimes, but both goalkeepers made huge stops to keep it tied. With the tie, the Brockport men's soccer team still sits at number one in the SUNYAC standings.

The Green and Gold are back in action Wednesday, Oct. 10 for another when they take on Hartwick College for a 7 p.m. matchup.
 
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