Quote from: Ejay on August 31, 2024, 09:59:04 PMI had high expectations for New Paltz and am surprised to see they're off to a slow start.

NP has a lot of new inexperienced players they will will need time to come together may or may not happen this year.

They lost their top two scorers (graduation and transfer) and lost a couple of other starters as well.

They will have an excellent defense.
 

Oswego with a win over Hamilton 3-2. I watched about half the match...
Hamilton had more possession and shots but Oswego made the most of their shots most on target, Two converted PEN's for Oswego. Keep on eye on Oswego Soph. striker #52 (Ellis) looked good fast and strong scored a goal.

With Oswego's win over a NESCAC (on top of numerous other factors the past year or so, in multiple sports) I'm starting to think that the SUNYAC might actually be seeing some benefit from the current uncertainty and tribulations of higher education.   Most of the SUNYs are now open enrollment so getting kids in isn't an issue.  On top of the dwindling college-eligible population, the cost of higher ed is also a huge factor in preventing matriculation to some private universities that are cutting back on financial aid so a lot more are attracted to the significantly lower cost incurred at a state school as well.   Cortland and Oneonta found the formula by mining the talent rich parts of the state (mainly Long Island) and hitting the transfer portal from in-state D1 players, so combine that with the other factors I mentioned and the SUNYAC could be on their way to being a lot more competitive conference.

Union with a win over NP last night. I watched the match and the first half was close to even but Union had less shots but more quality chances.

Second half was all Union they moved the ball well, good passing and defended well when needed. Parked the bus the last 10 minutes. Their goal early in the second half was very nice a quick pass to the outside and a diagonal ball, switch, to the weak side winger who beat the outside back and slotted it home.

I'm not paying for Flosports but the box score says Lessman for Cortland received 2 red cards in the current match against Catholic.  I don't know if that's just a box score error and it's just one red card, or if he received two in succession. 

edit:  box score corrected at halftime, just one red card.  Still, Cortland will have to play 75 minutes down a man.

Cortland goes down a man in the first half, proceed to score 2 goals in the 2nd half to beat Catholic on their own field.  As I said before, if Cortland is ever going to make a run this has to be the year to do it.  They start 8 seniors which includes several 5th years and technically a 6th year. That is a metric ton of invaluable experience. They should be a top 5 ranked team next week. 

Cortland clearly the class of the conference.....impressive win down a man most of the match...

Buffalo blows out Alfred 7-1
SUNY Delhi over Potsdam 1-0
Scranton beats New Paltz 1-0 and NP has Vassar next

Need to see how Buffalo does against some better competition to get an idea how they are

I know its still early but this year it looks like surprise team up is Oswego and surprise down is New Paltz.

Last year the surprise up was Buffalo and the surprise down was Plattsburgh.

NP fading fast, could not hold into a 1-0 lead losing 1-2 after giving up a goal with nine minutes left then conceding another goal a minute later. NP has only scored two goals in five games. Putting way too much pressure on the back line and GK.

Platts. Missed a couple of opportunities versus Clarkson. Clarkson played for the draw with Platts. Absorbing heavy pressure most of the second half. Kudos to Clarkson hanging on to maintain the draw unlike NP.

Will try to watch some matches with Buffalo once they start playing better competition.

Despite 28 shots on goal Cortland comes up short against Alvernia.  Alvernia looking like a sleeper team early with a couple really good results.

I wonder if Cortland will regret a 20 game schedule.  Today was already their 7th game, I have no doubt there was some fatigue factor in this one.

Big win by New Paltz tonight over Stevens. Stevens had more possession and probably deserved more but NP had there moments and a forward hit a laser from the top of the box that beat the Stevens GK.

Oneonta over RPI on a late goal. Issue with the video in first half being fixed to the center circle. RPI put up a good fight.

Platts squeaks by Fredonia 2-1, scored two in the first half. Platts had a minimal quality chances in the second half.

NP with a dominating 4-0 win versus an overmatched Lehman. NP cam3 out in the second half and put the game away then emptied the bench.

Full slate of SUNYAC games this weekend.

NP draws against Cortland. NP scores in early second half on a 40-45 yard direct kick. Cortland GK caught up the field and ball lofted over his head. Cortland ties it up in second half on a PEN. NP hung with Cortland in first half but was under constant pressure in second half. Cortland had several chances get cleared off/near the goal line. Good work by NP getting a point from the match and continuing their run of good results.

Oneonta goes down a goal to Oswego but scores in two in second half, the game winner with about 10 min left in match.

Plattsburgh disappointing result draw 0-0 versus Morrisville. Plattsburgh outplayed Morrisville both halves but lots of poor shots by Platts. and some bad luck as well, hit the post in second half. Morrisville had ZERO shots on goal and three shots entire game
Morrisville & Platts players each issued a straight red. Foul on Morrisville player, Platts player pushed Morrisville Player and Morrisville player responded by throwing two punches at Platts. Player. Both teams grabbed their own players and got them separated and de-escalated quickly. This draw could hurt Platts in standings just like last season.
 
Buffalo over Potsdam 4-3

Fredonia destroys Canton 7-0 (was 6-0 at half)

Oneonta absolutely blitzing Cortland at the half. Getting Prosperi back is providing a big boost.

Shocked when I checked the score on my phone on the way home, was 3-0 at that time. Thats a draw (NP) and loss (Oneonta)for Cortland in first two SUNYAC matches.

NP beats Potsdam 2-1

Buffalo over Morrisville 3-0 - Morrisville with a RC early in 2nd half while match was still 0-0.  Thats two straight games a player on Morrisville with a red card.

Oswego over Canton 3-0; Canton is struggling in SUNYAC they had ZERO shots in the match Oswego had 26 shots.

New Paltz extends their winning streak converting a PEN in the 85th minute for the 1-0 win over Fredonia.


Cortland with a 4-0 win over a struggling to score Platts. Cortland was the better team but helped by some strange referee calls. Cortland to their credit
Took advantage of a confused Platts GK...looked like a foul call or an offside call that Platts.GK thought was a goal kick (refs original call unclear.). GK put ball down Cortland rushed GK who picked it up ref blew whistle for an Indirect (illegal touching) and Cortland smartly played a quick pass to a teammate for a 5 yard tap in.

Buff State tied at top of the table in SUNYAC 3-0-0 with a 2-0 win against on over matched Canton squad. Buff outshot Canton 36-7

Oneonta heating up ...3-0-0 in conference play with a comfortable 2-0 win over Potsdam.

A depleted Morrisville squad multiple players sitting out due to red  cards (three in two games) draws 1-1 against Oswego, Morrisville had 1-0 lead on a converted PEN.

Three teams with 4 pts in SUNYAC (Cortland, Platts & Oswego)