New Paltz, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team collected its second-straight win Wednesday after beating Albertus Magnus College 3-0 on the South Turf Field.

Similar to their most recent victory Sept. 21 against Farmingdale State, the Hawks got out to a hot start and put away two quick goals in the 10th and 14th minute. They then held on to a two-goal advantage for the majority of the game before adding a final insurance goal with less than three minutes left in regulation.

"I thought we finished the game well," said SUNY New Paltz senior midfielder Coltan Goodwine. "Toward the middle of the first half we kind of let our foot off the gas. We did the same thing against Farmingdale. Kind of went up early in the beginning and slowly started basically just letting off and it got away from us. Momentum started to shift. Then it was kind of an even game. We need to work more on putting games away and just keep our foot on the throttle, kind of burying teams early and run the score up, six, seven if we can instead of just taking it easy."
 

Marc DePasquale saw most of his action within the first few minutes of the game for the Hawks. The junior goalkeeper made two one-v-one stops to keep the stalemate and another midway through the half, which maintained SUNY New Paltz's then two-goal lead. On all three occasions, DePasquale did well coming off his line, cutting off the angle and getting his body in front to make the stop. The Hawks defensive line adjusted to the Falcons speed up top and limited their opportunities toward the back end of the first half and all of the final 45 minutes.

SUNY New Paltz first got on the board following a free kick earned just on the edge of Albertus Magnus' 18-yard box. The Hawks played the ball in low toward the net and although their first and second chances on frame were blocked, Goodwine was there to clean up and put away the go-ahead score. 

The Hawks didn't take long to tack on another. Spencer Ryczek initiated the play on the right defensive side, winning back possession for SUNY New Paltz and getting it quickly up the field to Ryan Hiliard down the flank. Hiliard cut the ball back inside and laid off a perfect pass for Philip Varner just atop the 18, who struck his shot over the head of Falcons goalkeeper Jared Brennan for his third goal of the year.

Hilliard nearly added his second assist of the game with 16 minutes left in the half. After winning the ball in the middle of the field, the freshman played a ball through to Ryan Stevens making a run behind the defense. Stevens beat his man and tried rounding his shot around Brennan, but his attempt careened off the post and out of play.

Two minutes later, SUNY New Paltz was denied once more, this time by the referee. A beautiful swinging corner by Kevin Doorley was met by center back Luke Dole just inside the six-yard box. The 6-foot, 4-inch Dole got his head on the cross and placed his shot in the corner of the netting, but standing in the vicinity was Varner who was called offsides, which took the goal away.

SUNY New Paltz had one last opportunity to earn their third goal before the break with seconds remaining before the halftime whistle. The Hawks defensive front did well maintaining their position and denied a pressing Albertus Magnus attack, which resulted in a counter attack the other way. Again, Stevens got out in front, beating his defender and was one-v-one with the keeper, but couldn't find the back of the net.

"It is getting better each game. Creating more and better chances each game, but just a little bit more quality in the finishing," said Hawks coach Kyle Clancy. "That final ball and final finish. I think the only disappointment was if we were a little bit cleaner with our passing and we just make a little bit of a better decision or better touch we are going to develop double the amount of chances. I think we are capable of being much, much better and that is just what we need to keep working on is just improving."
Stevens finally got on the board in the final minutes of the game, nicely tucking away a pass played inside the box from Ryczek to seal the victory for the Hawks.

SUNY New Paltz dominated the second half of play, allowing nothing dangerous against DePasquale and holding the Falcons to just one shot, while tallying six in that span. Overall, the Hawks out-shot Albertus Magnus, 17-8 in the game, while adding four corners to the Falcons' five.  

"I think the biggest takeaway that I am happiest with was that in the second half 15 being pretty much none existent," Clancy said. "I think our back line definitely performed better in the second half. We had a couple key injuries and it's just getting guys used to filling in in those spots and communicating more and being a little bit better in the middle."

DePasquale finished with six saves in the win and posted his fourth shutout of the season, while the Hawks earned their sixth clean sheet as a team.

Despite the positive result on the scoreboard, SUNY New Paltz hopes to improve its play leading into a big game Saturday against Catskill Cup rival SUNY Oneonta, which is currently ranked 18th in the country by United Soccer Coaches.

"We were good in possession in the middle, but a little too safe. We weren't good enough defensively in the middle. We have to fix that," Clancy said. "It doesn't matter if we're playing Oneonta or the worst team in the nation. We just have to be better. It will catch up to us. Right now we're kind of getting away with it. I am really happy – six shutouts in seven games, that is awesome, but I do think we're getting a little lucky and we do need to sharpen up."

The Hawks are back in action Saturday when they go on the road to take on the No. 18 Red Dragons for a 1 p.m. matchup.

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