New Paltz, NY-- The State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team beat previously undefeated No. 14 nationally ranked SUNY Cortland (8-1-2 overall, 2-1 SUNYAC) for the first time since 2015 Saturday, 5-1.

With the win, The Hawks move to 8-3 on the year. SUNY New Paltz now holds a 3-1 record in conference play, tying for first in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) standings with The College at Brockport and SUNY Oneonta. 

"It's a big win knowing [Cortland] is nationally ranked, but every game is a championship game," said Hawks coach Kyle Clancy. "When you get to the point where you address the first game of the season to the last like that, you're going to be a great team. Just really great stuff from the guys, I'm proud of them."

The Hawks gained a large advantage six minutes into the match, when SUNY Cortland's junior goalkeeper Sean Kelley slid into a SUNY New Paltz attacker, forcing a red card. Although the Hawks went up a man, freshman forward Ryan Stevens could not put the penalty kick in the back of the net, as the Red Dragons substitute goalie, junior Noah Smith, stopped the shot. 

"[Kelley] can kick it about 80 yards, and he's a key part of their team," Stevens said. "Seeing him sent off, that really boosted us. We really needed that."

Moving momentum on their side, the Hawks capitalized in the 13th minute, when freshman midfielder Spencer Ryczek found the scoresheet on a ball to the back post by senior midfielder Khalil Scott-Ludewig, putting SUNY New Paltz up, 1-0.

In a half where SUNY Cortland racked up seven fouls, two yellow cards and one red, the Red Dragons could never get a shot on goal, ending the first with the Hawks up by one.

Seven minutes into the second half, a foul in the box by SUNY New Paltz forced a penalty kick for SUNY Cortland. Red Dragons junior midfielder Jake Keller put one past the Hawks goalkeeper, sophomore Marc DePasquale, to tie the match at one.

At 55:11 in the second, Stevens made up for his missed penalty with a goal of his own on another Scott-Ludewig assist, putting SUNY New Paltz ahead, 2-1. It began an offensive onslaught for the Hawks.

Four minutes later at 59:18, Stevens found the back of the net again, marking the score 3-1 on a one-on-one with Smith.

SUNY New Paltz would score twice more, at 75:31 on a header goal by sophomore midfielder Kevin Doorley, and a minute later at 76:21 on a goal by sophomore midfielder Ryan Martinez.

Although the Hawks totaled 11 fouls in the half, the four-goal lead proved enough. For the first time in three years, SUNY New Paltz beat the Red Dragons, 3-1.

"Even when we lost momentum a little bit when they scored that PK, we came right back and took control," Clancy said. "They're a strong, physical and athletic team. We knew it was going to be a tough test, but we weathered the storm and won the battle."

The Hawks return to action Oct. 5 when they travel to the College at Brockport.

 To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel,New Paltz Hawks.