ONEONTA, NY – The Elmore Field grass is once again becoming a tough place to play for opponents of the Hartwick men's soccer team, as a 62nd-minute connection between Brady Cummings (Shoreham, NY/Shoreham Wading River) and Matteo Sweet (Shoreham, NY/Shoreham Wading River) lifted the Hawks over the visiting Mustangs by a 2-1 scoreline. 'Wick is now 4-1-2 overall and 4-0-2 at home, while Morrisville drops to 3-4-1.
Ethan Kaiser (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) opened the scoring in the 18th minute. After a throw-in, the ball came to Joey Bertone (Jamesville, NY/Jamesville-Dewitt) who created space for himself in the corner and lofted one into the box, where it found the head of an unmarked Kaiser. Morrisville keeper Caleb Lucero got a piece of it, but could not keep the ball from crossing the line for a 1-0 Hartwick lead.
It took until the second half, but the Mustangs tied the game at one in the 49th minute. Mohamed Sy's free kick from about five yards past the top of the box dipped under the crossbar but stayed over the fingers of a leaping Jodi Johnson (Seaford, DE/Sussex Technical) for the equalizer.
The Hawks were undeterred, as they went back in front just over 12 minutes later. Cummings raced down a Jake Zona (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) through ball, then cut it back for an on-running Sweet who slotted it past the keeper for the 62nd minute lead. Peter Crawford (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) had a chance to ice it in the waning minutes, but his 86th minute try hit the far post and stayed out.
Bertone led all comers with three shots, tying his career high. Crawford and Ryan Cooke (Merrick, NY/Bellmore JFK) were the only other Hawks with multiple shots at two apiece. Johnson played all 90 minutes in net, making one save in the win.
The Hawks had the shot advantage, at 11 to 6, including 5 to 2 on target. They also had a commanding lead in corner kicks, at 7-0.
'Wick is back to it this Saturday, as they travel to St. John Fisher for some Empire 8 play. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.
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