CS
Cory Santangelo
  • Communication Studies
  • Class of 2018
  • Sayville, NY

Local Athletes selected to All-Conference Team

2017 Nov 8

Freshman Roberto Ventura and senior Kevin Hoff swept the top honors in the SUNYAC announced today by the State University of New York Athletic Conference. Ventura was selected as the top Offensive Player and Rookie of the Year while Hoff garnered the Defensive Player of the Year. Six other Red Dragons joined both Ventura and Hoff on the 2017 All-Conference Team.

To say that Ventura had an immediate impact on this year's squad would be an understatement. All Ventura did was score at least one goal in his first seven collegiate games including three game-winners. Ventura leads the SUNYAC in goals (12), points (28) and game-winning goals (6). This past weekend, he scored an amazing goal that turned out to be the game-winner against Plattsburgh in the SUNYAC tournament championship game, which earned him selection to the All-Tournament Team.

Ventura becomes the first player in the history of the SUNYAC on the men's side to garner both the Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year awards in the same season. The conference began awarding the Rookie of the Year in 2001 and, in 2015, began awarding both an Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year named in honor of Huntley Parker and Fred Holloway respectively.

"In 2016, we were fortunate to have Witman take the league by storm in his freshman year, and Roberto has followed suit this season," commented Head Coach Iain Byrne. I can't remember a freshman winning both the Rookie of the Year, and the Conference Offensive Player of the Year in the same season, but that shows how valuable Roberto has been for us. His goals carried us earlier in the season when the other forwards were struggling with injuries. He has this ability to produce when we need him most. There is no greater example than last week in the conference championship match, after Plattsburgh had tied the game and seized the momentum, Roberto settled the game with a brilliant individualistic effort to win us the Championship."

Hoff, who is a First Team selection this fall, becomes the third straight Oneonta player to earn the Holloway Defensive Player of the Year Award following Anthony Passiatore (2016) and Jared Van Brunt (2105). Hoff has started every game for the first time in his career this season. As a freshman, he was a starting defender for an NCAA final four team and last season he started 19 games en route to earning All-Conference honors. This season, Hoff has contributed three goals including a game-winner while adding an assist. Hoff's performance in the SUNYAC Tournament earned him a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

"At the back, Kevin developed an instant bond with freshman center back Scott Cebollero, and together they have marshaled one of our best defensive records in our history, conceding only 12 goals in 18 games," said Byrne. As the leader and organizer, Kevin's experience and veteran leadership has given the team the defensive stability to play our attacking game, and he can always be counted on to pop up with a vital goal when needed."

Senior Cory Santangelo rounded out the trio of players that were selected to the First Team. The 2014 conference Rookie of the Year is earning All-Conference honors for a fourth straight time including his second on the First Team. Santangelo currently is third on the team in scoring with six goals and five assists for 17 points. His five assists are tied with Nicholas Plate and Carlos Martinez to lead Oneonta. Santangelo was selected to the SUNYAC Tournament All-Tournament Team for his performance in both the semifinal and final.

Junior Justin Cebollero and sophomore Witman Hernandez were Oneonta's Second Team selections. Both are earning honors for the second straight year. Hernandez was the 2016 conference Rookie of the Year giving the Red Dragons three such honorees on its roster for the first time in program history. Oneonta has taken the top rookie honor in six of the last seven seasons.

Hernandez has been an offensive force as of late scoring five goals in his last three games giving him 11 for the season. His three goals during the SUNYAC tournament earned him selection as the Tournament MVP. Cebollero has registered a pair of goals this season including one game-winner.

Rounding out the list of honorees for Oneonta include senior Luke Osovski, junior Nicholas Giordano and freshman Scott Cebollero who were all selected to the All-Conference Third Team.

Osovski has had his best season this fall starting 15 games on defense and contributing a pair of assists. Scott Cebollero has started every game during his rookie season in the back and has four points on one goal and two assists. His two-game performance earned him SUNYAC Tournament All-Tournament honors.

Giordano has anchored the defense as the starting keeper this season after transferring in from the University of Buffalo. Giordano is second in the SUNYAC with a 0.69 goals against average while recording the best save percentage at .868. He has logged 1,570 minutes to this point and has eight shutouts.

The Red Dragons are preparing to host the opening round of the NCAA Division III tournament this weekend. Oneonta will face WPI in the first round on Saturday at 11am.