The State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team has been eager to get back on the pitch. A full week since its last game – a disappointing 3-2 loss at home against King's College – the Hawks are ready to get back on the field, put last week's loss behind them and create a new winning streak starting with Farmingdale State Saturday.

"That 3-2 game against King's it was tough, but we've had a full week," said SUNY New Paltz sophomore defender Spencer Ryczek. "We've been working, practices have been a lot more intense and I think the guys have responded to that very well. We've been able to find a good balance of intense drills and then find the recovery time in between to keep things as high-intensity as we can. I think everyone has just been working very hard to get back out there, so we're looking forward to get back on a winning run." 
After posting a shutout in four of their last five games, the Hawks' defense struggled in their matchup against the Monarchs. At practice leading into the matchup they worked on clearances in the box, but on King's first two goals, the visitors capitalized after SUNY New Paltz failed to clear the ball out of their zone. The Monarchs took advantage of the second and third opportunities with a pair of goals.

"Clearances for us have been very important," Ryczek said. "Last game we struggled a little bit, but this week we have been working on clearances, especially on corners being just as fundamentally sound as we can. And, we are always looking to build out of the back. Fast touches, knowing what to do before you're getting the ball, which will allow us to break teams down faster."

With a week of preparation for the Rams, SUNY New Paltz worked once again on marking in the box and cleaning up the mistakes they made during their last outing. Despite the loss, the Hawks upped their play in the second half and started capitalizing on their chances in front of goal. After Coltan Goodwine put away a dagger on a free kick just atop the box in the first half, Kevin Doorley found James Maltes for the sophomore's team-leading third score of the season.

Doorley and Maltes both have a team-high six points, while Doorley totaled one goal and four assists thus far. Goodwine and Luke Dole follow with three points apiece, registering a goal and an assist in six games played.

"Throughout the year we have actually struggled a bit in the final third, finishing our chances and killing off teams, so with this long week of practice we've also been able to find a good mix of defensive drills and finishing drills," Ryczek said. "We've worked with the offense a little bit more, just as many shots as we can get on goal and that will help the goalkeepers too. I think we've looked a lot better with finishing this week too."

Farmingdale has scored 14 times through seven games, averaging about two goals a contest, while giving up just less than two goals per game. The Rams enter the match with a modest 3-4 record. They have won three of five as of late, but most recently lost to New Jersey City, 2-1 Sept. 18.

Sophomore forward Chris Schmidt leads the team with four goals and two assists, followed by junior midfielder Bryan Argueta, senior midfielder Alex Chapoteau and junior forward Carlos Rivera who each have registered two goals and an assist on the year.

Junior Jacob Liese started the first three games of the season for Farmingdale, but came up with a record of 0-2 with 14 saves and six goals against. Freshman Justin Silva has played in six games with one start, owning a 2-2 record after making 10 saves, while also yielding six goals against.

The Hawks hope to pile on to that number no matter who earns the start in net for the Rams. They are set to Farmingdale Saturday for a 1 p.m. match up.

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