Unlike last season, the Geneseo men’s soccer team was able to make it into the SUNYAC playoffs this year. The Knights split games against SUNY Plattsburgh on Oct. 24 and SUNY Potsdam on Saturday Oct. 25—beating the former 1-0 and losing to the latter 0-1. Even though Plattsburgh outshot the Knights 12-7, junior goalkeeper Logan Calvey was able to hold onto the lead created on a free kick from senior midfielder Neil Allen. The win against Plattsburgh ensured the Knights admission into the SUNYAC playoffs.
Geneseo was unable to find the back of the net against Potsdam with a playoff game on the line. Head coach Dominic Oliveri said that the Knights may have played their best game of the season, but they were unable to capitalize on their six shots on goal in the second half by junior midfielder Jaisen Clark and Allen.
“With possessions, they didn’t have much of the ball,” Oliveri said. “We held the ball for long, long stretches. And we not only held possession, but we were dangerous. We had a handful of chances against them. We were extremely disappointed at the end result.”
The game against Potsdam put the Knights into fifth place in the SUNYAC rankings and set them up for a rematch with the Bears on Saturday Nov. 1. Oliveri said that he needs to work on a few things with the team before the game.
“Offensively, we’re struggling to put goals in the back of the net,” Oliveri said. “It’s leaving teams in the game.”
As the playoffs begin, however, Oliveri said that he thinks the Knights match up well against Potsdam, despite their recent loss.
“I like the matchup just because we played extremely well against them and I don’t think that they will be able to keep us off the board a second time through,” he said. “I’m pretty happy about the rematch.”
Oliveri also said that the team is looking forward to the matchup.
“We think, deep down, that we’re the better team,” Oliveri said. “So from a satisfaction standpoint, I think it’s nice that we get to see them again and play there since we played well on turf. I don’t know if ‘revenge’ is the right word, but I think it’s a little extra motivation because I know we’re the better team.”
For Geneseo, all sights are set on the Saturday Nov. 1 playoff game to be played at 1 p.m. at Potsdam.