Box Score

BUFFALO – Playing in the postseason for the first time since 2012, the No. 5 seed men's soccer team at the State University of New York at New Paltz fell at No. 4 seed Buffalo State 2-0 in the 2016 SUNYAC Quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon at Coyer Field.

The Hawks conclude their season at 8-4-7 overall under first-year head coach Kyle Clancy while the Bengals (11-6-1) advance to the SUNYAC Semifinals to face No. 1 seed and No. 8 nationally-ranked Cortland on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m.

New Paltz had several scoring chances in the first half and outshot the Bengals 5-1 during the opening period, but could not capitalize as the contest was scoreless through the first 45 minutes of action.
 

However, the Bengals were able to break through in the second half when Bass Sarr successfully converted a penalty kick in the 65^th minute for his 12^th score of the year to hand New Paltz a 1-0 deficit.

The call came on a controversial play by junior keeper John Guzzo (Carle Place, NY/Carle Place) who was diving after a loose ball in the box and collided with a Bengal player. Ultimately, it was the official's decision to call the penalty which unfortunately went the way for Buffalo State.

The contest remained just a one-score game and with 13 minutes remaining, freshman forward Luke Dole (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem) had a great scoring chance turned away by the Bengals' William Banahene to keep the Hawks off the board.

The score was still 1-0 in favor of Buffalo State until the 78^th minute when Brandon Galanti tallied his fourth goal of the year off a misplay by the New Paltz back line to put the Hawks in a 2-0 hole, which eventually held up for the Bengals.

Offensively, the Hawks outshot Buffalo State 11-6 as senior midfielder Charlie Versen (Dobbs Ferry, NY/The Masters School) led the team with three shots in his final collegiate game. Junior midfielders Aleco Podias (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun) and Ben Zilka (Levittown, NY/General Douglas MacArthur) both fired off two shots apiece as the Hawks held a 4-0 edge in corners as well.

Guzzo made one stop on the day for the Hawks. This marks the first playoff win for Buffalo State since 1984.