Box Score

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – Despite ending the first half with a 2-0 lead, the State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team (6-7-1, 2-3-1 SUNYAC) could not hold on for the victory, allowing three consecutive second-half goals to SUNY Potsdam (6-5-2, 3-1-1 SUNYAC) in the Hawks' 3-2 loss to the Bears in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.

The Hawks controlled play for much of the first half, outshooting the Bears, 10-3. New Paltz opened the scoring at 15:00 with a sliding shot at the left post from senior midfielder Michael Santalesa (New Hyde Park, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) on a close-range pass from junior midfielder/forward Shanshe Khosroshvili (Brooklyn, N.Y./Edward R. Murrow). The home team struck again at 23:56, when junior midfielder/forward Harrison Lane (Glenmont, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) cashed in on a cross from senior midfielder/forward Tommy Garafola (Richmond Hill, N.Y./St. Francis Prep), extending the Hawk lead to 2-0.

While the score remained 2-0 at half, Potsdam turned up the offensive intensity quickly in the second half. At 46:14, defenseman Chris Mack gained control of the ball off a cluster in front of the New Paltz goal and set up midfielder A.J. Ramirez's marker to narrow the New Paltz lead to 2-1. The Bears tied the game at 2-all when, at 60:14, forward Stephen Auyer retrieved a deflected pass outside the box and sent a scorcher to the left corner of the net.

The intensity from both sides picked up, with the referee issuing two of Potsdam's three yellow cards on the day at 79:52 and 84:00 to control the action.

With only 56 seconds remaining, Potsdam forward Eduardo Figueroa sent a corner kick into the New Paltz box, allowing defenseman Victor Colasacco to score the goal that would prove to be the game-winner on a header just inside the left post.

Bear goalkeeper Joe Glackin earned the victory with a seven-save effort. Hawk sophomore goalkeeper Conor Power (White Plains, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac) took the loss, stopping three attempts. New Paltz outshot Potsdam, 20-14, while Potsdam was charged with more fouls, 20-17.

The Hawks look to rebound in SUNYAC play when they start a three-game road stretch on Saturday, Oct. 15, when they travel to Oneonta, N.Y., to face SUNY Oneonta at 1 p.m.