ONEONTA, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College men's soccer team had a tough start to the 2017 season on Friday afternoon, as the Valiants dropped a 4-0 decision to SUNY Oneonta, ranked 14th in the United Soccer Coaches preseason national poll, at Red Dragon Field.
 
Oneonta's Witman Hernandez single-handedly defeated Manhattanville on the afternoon, scoring three of his team's four goals. Roberto Ventura also scored for the home team in the win.
 
The Valiants came out slowly in the first game of the season, allowing Oneonta to score on its first two shots of the match to put the visitors behind the eight-ball early. Hernandez struck twice in less than two minutes to put the Red Dragons ahead, scoring on a header in the 6th minute and from the top of the box in the eighth minute.
 
Hernandez completed his hat trick with the 27th minute, helping Oneonta to a 3-0 lead at the half despite taking only five shots in the opening 45 minutes.
 
Sophomore Tim Carsting (Falun, Sweden/Soltorgsgymnasiet) made five saves on seven shots in the second half, only allowing Ventura's score in the 54th minute, but the Valiant offense could not get going against the Red Dragons.
 
Manhattanville had its chances in the game, forcing Oneonta keeper Nicholas Giordano to make five saves in the second half after two stops in the first frame, but could not find the back of the net. Oneonta finished the game with a slight 12-8 edge in total shots as well as a 10-3 advantage in corner kicks.
 
The Valiants will regroup in advance of their 2017 home opener, which comes on Wednesday at 6 p.m. against Vassar College.