Troy, NY – A slow start hindered the State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team Friday on the road against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at the Union Soccer Classic, as the Hawks (0-1) dropped their season-opener, 2-1.
 
"Definitely need to come out stronger tomorrow," said SUNY New Paltz coach Kyle Clancy, whose team is back on the field against Union College at 4 p.m. Saturday. "We were flat and struggled in possession in the first half."
 
RPI got on the board early, as Dillon Ashong assisted Steven Collins in the seventh minute to give the Engineers the one-goal advantage.
 
Trevor Bisson made it 2-0 for RPI in the 68^th minute, but the Hawks kept fighting and quickly cut the deficit six minutes later after Luis Tinoco finished on an assist from Coltan Goodwine.
 
SUNY New Paltz upped its play in the second half and created quality chances to tie up the match, but could not get another in the back of the net. The Hawks out-shot the Engineers 9-4, while also earning four corners in the game.
 
"Many positives in the second half," said Clancy. "Even down two goals, the testing showed a great fight and spirit. [We] had chances to tie up the game. The team showed better pressure as a team, won more second balls and were much better in possession."
 
SUNY New Paltz will look to regroup and come out strong against Union, which defeated The Sage Colleges, 3-2, in their season opener Friday.


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