After two-straight weekends on the road, the State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team will host its first home game of the year Wednesday when it takes on non-conference, cross-river rival, Vassar College.

When the Hawks (3-1 overall) and Brewers (2-1-1) meet up, the game always tends to be a physical, hard-fought contest. The two teams have played each other every year since 1989 with the exception of the 1991 season, with Vassar holding the edge in the match up, 8-18 with two ties.

The Hawks are looking for their first win over the Brewers since 2010, when they earned a 2-0 win on Alumni Field. During last season's game, the Brewers scored early after a lackluster start by SUNY New Paltz. Although the Hawks bounced back to hold momentum in the second half of play, they couldn't capitalize with an equalizer and suffered what was just their second loss of the season. 

Heading into Wednesday's match, SUNY New Paltz gained some confidence after bouncing back with a 2-0 win over Morrisville State in the second day of the Utica College Invitational. The Hawks dropped their first game of the tournament – and took their first loss of the year – a day earlier to SUNY Cobleskill, 2-0.

Against the Mustangs, however, SUNY New Paltz was in control from start to finish, out-shooting the opposition 14-3, while adding 10 corners to Morrisville's two. Tommy Jelstrom finally broke the scoreless stalemate in the 59th minute to push his team in front, while James Maltes added an insurance goal in the 83rd minute to solidify the win.

"It was good to get the result and I believe the guys are confident as we head into the game versus Vassar this week," said Hawks coach Kyle Clancy following the win Sunday. 

Maltes leads the team with two goals thus far, followed by Luke Dole and Jelstrom, who each have one.

The Brewers, meanwhile, suffered their first loss of the season, 1-0 to No. 24 nationally ranked Stevens Institute of Technology. They'll play their third-straight road game Wednesday, as they also came away with a 1-1 tie against Manhattanville College Sept. 4.

Reis Kissel, Henrik Olsson, H Barratt Heitmann and Owen Fauth have all registered one goal for Vassar. Will Marment has played the majority of minutes in net, coming away with eight saves with one goal against and a 2-0-1 record, while Luke Lefeber has played in two games with one start. He totaled just one save, allowed one goal against with a 0-1 record.

SUNY New Paltz is set to face Vassar in their home opener Wednesday on the South Turf Field at 4 p.m.

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