In an exciting matchup on September 3, Cassidy Howard emerged as the star for Oneonta, scoring two second-half goals, including the decisive game-winner, as the team secured a 3-2 victory over Waverly in a Southern Tier Athletic Conference non-division game held at Lloyd F. Baker Field.
The game began with a slow pace for the Yellowjackets, who struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. Waverly's Gianna Soprano capitalized on this, scoring the only goal of the half at the 29:49 mark. Soprano's strike from outside the box found the left corner, giving Waverly a 1-0 lead that they maintained for nearly 50 minutes.
Despite the early deficit, Oneonta came out with renewed energy in the second half. The Yellowjackets dominated possession, applying pressure on Waverly's defense and creating multiple scoring opportunities. With 22:45 remaining in the match, Nora Sander leveled the score. After receiving a pass from Carly Stamas, Sander skillfully maneuvered into the box and finished with a shot to the left post, tying the game at 1-1.
Following the equalizer, Waverly made a crucial change in goal, substituting sophomore Taylin Gonzales, who appeared to be limping, with freshman Carson LaFrance. However, the switch did not stem the tide of Oneonta's offensive onslaught. Howard, receiving another assist from Stamas, showcased her skill by beating her defender and LaFrance to score her first goal of the game, putting Oneonta ahead 2-1 with just 11:46 left on the clock.
Waverly attempted to respond and had several chances to equalize, but Oneonta's goalkeeper, Gianna Ferreira-Reyes, was instrumental in preserving the lead. Ferreira-Reyes made several critical saves and provided vocal leadership from the back, helping to organize her defense against Waverly's attacks.
Howard struck again with just 2:32 remaining, finishing another assist from Stamas. This time, Howard's run took her closer to the center of the field, and LaFrance hesitated, allowing Howard to slide the ball past her into an open net, marking what would be the game-winning goal.
Waverly did not go down without a fight, as Ryleigh Judson netted a long-range shot to bring the score to 3-2 with only 52 seconds left. Despite this late surge, Oneonta held on to secure their first win of the season.
In terms of statistics, Waverly outshot Oneonta in the first half, 8-7, but the Yellowjackets turned the tables in the second half, outshooting Waverly 9-4. Oneonta also had a significant advantage in corner kicks, finishing with a 4-1 lead. Ferreira-Reyes recorded nine saves for Oneonta, while Gonzales and LaFrance combined for eight saves for Waverly.
With this victory, Oneonta improved its record to 1-1, 0-1 in conference play, and will look to build on this momentum when they face Westhill in a non-division game on September 5.
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