SUNY - Oneonta Men's Soccer

Brian Roser was named the head Oneonta men's and women's tennis coach in the fall of 2025. In his first season, the men finished 10-11 overall and 1-1 in the WIAC, with two players named all-conference. The women's team finished with seven wins. Two players earned All-SUNYAC honors. Brian Roser '18 was a member of the SUNY Oneonta men’s tennis team from 2014 to 2017, contributing to the program’s success both on and off the court. While playing at Oneonta, he also ran a summer tennis program in the Adirondacks, where he coached group and private lessons and oversaw the entire summer program for four years. Since graduating, Roser has been a high school teacher at Morris Central School. He currently serves as the boys' varsity soccer coach, leading the team to its first league championship in over a decade. Roser also dedicates his time to coaching travel soccer for Calcio United Soccer Club in Oneonta, mentoring players from the U12 to U19 levels. Roser earned his bachelor’s degree in Adolescent Education with a concentration in Social Studies from SUNY Oneonta in 2018. He went on to complete his master’s degree in Literacy Education from SUNY Oneonta in 2020. Originally from Pittsford, NY, Roser graduated from Pittsford Sutherland High School in 2014, where he competed on the varsity tennis and soccer teams.

2015, 2014 & 2011 NCAA Final Fours in San Antonio, Texas and Kansas City, MO 2025, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 NCAA Tournament 2022, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2012 & 2011 NCAA Tournament Host Site 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010 Regular Season Conference Champions 2025, 2022, 2019, 2015, 2014, 2012 & 2011 Conference Champions 38 First-Team All-Conference Players in 2011-2025   At graduation, we want our athletes to tell us that their Oneonta experience has been the greatest four years of their lives. A positive college experience transitions a student athlete into a great alumnus and a lifetime member of our soccer family. Our student athletes make academics their number one priority. On the pitch, we work individually and collectively with our players to help develop them and provide them with the opportunity to compete for conference and national championships. Finally, we encourage our student athletes serve as a role model for fellow students and to contribute to the city of Oneonta and the neighboring communities.   Academically, our expectation for our athletes is that they will have two choices at graduation. If they are not progressing to a recognized graduate school to continue their studies, then they should be positioned as an attractive candidate for a leading company in their chosen field. We provide year-round support with weekly study halls, class selection, pre-registration, advisement and tutoring. The team enjoys the privilege of a Team Faculty Mentor, "Chelsea fanatic" Joanne Murphy, who offers additional advice and guidance to the athletes. In addition, the team features a "big brother policy" where the team leaders and upperclassman counsel the younger players on life at Oneonta.   The three key intangibles we look for in a prospect are a positive attitude, a natural enthusiasm for the game, and a willingness to set aside personal goals for the good of the team. Our recruiting philosophy is to scout prospects in multiple matches, evaluating their potential fit in our attacking style of play. We believe in committing to those recruits who choose Oneonta and providing them every chance to develop and prosper in our program. Open tryouts and preseason cuts are very rare with us because we are selective in our recruiting choices and believe in a smaller squad to ensure a greater chance of individual and team success.   Our style of play favors a game based around pace, movement and technique. We are a possession-oriented team that loves to go forward and attack, so every player must be comfortable on the ball. All successful teams possess a combination of attacking and defensive qualities, so we look to complement our match-winning flair players with a sprinkling of hard-nosed, hard-working team players that possess leadership qualities.   At Oneonta, the team will always face a punishing schedule, competing against some of the toughest regional and national competition. Our non-conference schedule has the sole aim of preparing our team for a potential run in the NCAA Tournament, and not to inflate the team's record. Our practice sessions are influenced by the top professional coaches from across the globe with development and enjoyment at the forefront of our agenda. We conduct a year-round training program where players will develop physically through strength and speed training, muscle development, and nutritional supplementation and guidance. The team enjoys a full spring program, which includes the annual alumni match and competition against Division 1/2 opposition.   In 2026, I will be enjoying my 24th  season as the head coach at Oneonta after filling the assistant coaching role for the previous six seasons. At an early age, our family immigrated to Durban, South Africa where I represented the South African School's Team in 1977 and 1978. I turned professional at the age of 18 and played for Durban City and Arcadia in the South Africa Premier League. In 1984 and 1985.  I represented the South African National Team in the annual celebratory match against international competition. I settled in the United States in 1986 and spent 10 years coaching and directing youth soccer organizations in Georgia and Florida before relocating to upstate New York to join the Red Dragon coaching staff prior to the 1997 season.   I completed my studies at SUNY Empire State College, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management. I am a lecturer in the Health and Fitness Department and teach a soccer coaching course for the “Sports Management" major.  In past semesters, I have taught activity classes in "Team Sports", "Body Conditioning", "Racquetball" (I am the reigning team champion, but that doesn't say much considering the current level of competition!) and "Badminton".   During the summer months I am an avid golfer (short off the tee and cannot putt!) and cyclist (I’m not exactly yellow jersey material!) and I enjoy a beach getaway during the winter break (loved Puerto Rico, Mexico, Juno Beach and Siesta Key, Florida). My teams are Liverpool (YNWA), the Red Sox, the NY Rangers, and the NY Giants. So.... for all players on our team who support Manchester United, the Yankees, the Islanders, or the Jets…. it’s a given that they are regulars in our 6am running club!!!!!!!!!!! Follow us on Twitter: @OneontaSoccer Like us on Facebook: OStateMensSoccer Prospect Questionnaire   2015 NCAA Final Four - Kansas City, MO 2014 NCAA Final Four - Kansas City, MO 2011 NCAA Final Four - San Antonio, Texas 2019 SUNYAC Champions Red Dragon Field - Home of SUNY Oneonta Men's Soccer    

Timmy Sagsti (Class of 2012) joined the coaching staff in 2023 after a four-year playing career at Oneonta. He was awarded SUNYAC Player of the Week in 2008 and was a member of the 2011 SUNYAC championship and Final Four team. Academically, he received SUNAC All-Academic Team honors in 2008, 2010, and 2011 and SUNYAC Commissioner's List in 2010 and 2011. After graduating, Tim helped coach girls' varsity soccer at Milford Central School from 2013-2019. Sagasti was born and raised in Endicott and played at Union Endicott High School, captaining and earning All-State honors his senior year. He played premier club soccer with BC United Fusion.    Sagasti graduated from Oneonta with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. In addition to his coaching duties, Tim has practiced real estate since 2013.

Will Schmid '26 joined the coaching staff in the fall of 2026 after a four-year playing career at Oneonta. Schmid captained the Red Dragons for three years starting his sophomore season and garnered All-WIAC (Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) honors in Singles and Doubles play in both 2025 and 2026. Gathering a handful of WIAC weekly accolades along the way, Schmid finished his career with 44 doubles wins, the fifth most in program history, and totaled 83 overall victories, which is tied for 10th all time for the Red Dragons. A native of Yonkers, New York, Schmid was a four year varsity tennis starter at Salesian High School in New Rochelle, New York.  Schmid graduated Oneonta with a bachelor’s degree in sport management.  

Christopher Saggese (Class of 2001) rejoined the Oneonta coaching staff in 2022, as he had previously coached at Oneonta from 2005-2008. He left the Red Dragons to coach Girls' Varsity Soccer at Milford Central School from 2009 to 2022, where he compiled a 164-63-17 record. Under his reign, the Milford Varsity Soccer Team won 6 Tri-Valley League Championships in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016 and four Section IV Championships in 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2015. He was awarded the Daily Star Star Girls Soccer Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2015. His teams qualified for Sectional play every year. He was inducted into the Tri-Valley Hall of Fame as a Coach in 2023. Saggese was the long-time Calcio United Soccer Club president, coaching travel teams for the past 20 years.   Saggese began his College Career playing for Herkimer County Community College, where the team went undefeated (25-0) and won a National Championship in 1994. In 2017 was inducted into the Herkimer College Athletic Hall of Fame. He then transferred to play for the Oneonta State Red Dragons for the 1996 season when Oneonta State was in Division I. Saggese is currently in his 22nd year as a High School Social Studies teacher at Milford Central School and is also the Athletic Director. Saggese lives in Oneonta with his wife, Angela, and has four daughters.  

Ian Zingaro joins Iain Byrne's coaching staff in the 2024 season after playing at SUNY Oneonta from 2019 - 2023. The Liverpool, NY native graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor's in Secondary Education from SUNY Oneonta. Over his four-year career, Zingaro played in 80 games, starting 75, amassing a record of 58-14-9. Primarily playing as a central defensive midfielder, he racked up 6298 minutes over his career, assisting 14 times and adding 7 goals.  Zingaro was a two-year captain at Oneonta, was a three-time All-SUNYAC player, and was twice named to the United Soccer Coaches D3 All-Region Team. His academic success is highlighted by being named a 2023 United Soccer Coaches Academic All-American and SUNY Oneonta's 2023 Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. At Oneonta, he was also a part of the National Leadership Honor Society, the National College Athlete Honor Society, and the National History Honor Society.  Zingaro has also gained previous coaching experience through his time with Syracuse Development Academy, and his alma mater, Liverpool High School. In 2024, Zingaro started teaching full-time at nearby Norwich Middle School. Ian resides in Oneonta. 

Our men’s soccer team is fortunate to have JoAnne Murphy support the team as our Faculty Mentor. JoAnne is originally from East Northport, on Long Island, and she is a graduate of SUNY Oneonta with a BS in Education. JoAnne worked in alternative education for eleven years and then for the Educational Opportunity Program here at SUNY Oneonta for eleven years. JoAnne joined the staff of the Academic Advisement Office in June of 2012, and will no doubt spend eleven years in that department!!! JoAnne and her two sons are big soccer fans, although they need to be excused for supporting Chelsea. They have attended numerous Chelsea matches during their summer tours of the US and have been fortunate to have seen Barcelona and the US Men’s National Teams play as well. JoAnne served as manager for the BC United Fusion Boys U17 and U18 teams (Binghamton, NY) from 2009 – 2011. JoAnne also managed the Oneonta Matrix Boys team from 2008 – 2013. JoAnne’s eldest son, Sean, played four years at Plattsburgh. Her other son Aaron graduated from SUNY Geneseo, where he participated on the Track & Field team. In the spring of 2017, Murphy was recognized for her outstanding efforts, support and selfless commitment of students and the academic mission of the athletic department with her induction into the National College Athlete Honor Society of Chi Alpha Sigma as an Honorary Inductee.