The State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team enters conference play Saturday against its biggest rival, SUNY Oneonta (7-1 overall, 0-0 conference).
 
The Hawks (6-2, 0-0) are coming off two-straight wins against Farmingdale State and Albertus Magnus College with a combined score of 7-0. They'll need to translate the same offensive production against the Red Dragons, who are averaging nearly three goals per game and have scored in every contest thus far. 
 
On the defensive side, the Hawks have played well but believe they can play even better despite the six shutouts they have produced this season.
 
"Yeah it's been getting better. Especially in the beginning, we were switching guys in here and there, but the more we go, the more we've been getting more and more comfortable with each other," said SUNY New Paltz junior goalkeeper Marc DePasquale. "We're doing good now and we're just keep growing together as a unit."
 
SUNY New Paltz's offense has produced 23 goals this season, averaging nearly three per game as well, but the Hawks feel as though they have yet hit their peak. They've developed numerous chances and are continuing to work on finishing on those opportunities. James Maltes paces SUNY New Paltz with five goals, followed by Philip Varner with three and Coltan Goodwine with two. Kevin Doorley follows Maltes with nine points, as he has totaled a league-leading seven assists heading into the matchup.
 
Witman Hernandez is the catalyst offensively for the Red Dragons. He has posted nine goals and four assists through eight games, which is second in both points and goals in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). Lucas Fecci and Denis Fleming follow with three goals apiece and eight and seven points, respectively. Meanwhile, last year's first-team All-SUNYAC selection Roberto Ventura is still on the roster, as the sophomore forward has totaled a goal and two assists in five games played.
 
"We just have to stay strong and stay solid," DePasquale said. "We've been doing really well so far this year, so if we just continue to do that and clean up the little mistakes we've had, I'm sure we'll have another shutout. Just keep communicating with each other we'll be fine, I have faith with everyone on our team."
 
In goal, freshman Nate Hanna and sophomore Francesco Scotti has each gotten four starts in net for SUNY Oneonta. Hanna has allowed just a goal against with 10 saves, while facing 34 shots and three shutouts for a 4-0 record. Scotti has yielded six goals, while making 19 saves on 52 shots faced with a 3-1 overall record.

The United Soccer Coaches Association ranked the Red Dragons at one point No. 2 in the nation until they lost 2-1 in overtime against RPI Sept. 17. In the latest coaches poll, SUNY Oneonta landed 18th in the country, but the Hawks are no-strangers from knocking off the nationally ranked Red Dragons.
 
Last season, SUNY New Paltz earned just its third victory over its Catskill Cup rival at home with a 2-1 win to clinch its first ever home playoff game. The Hawks had one of their best defensive performances of the season during the outing and hope to replicate that performance Saturday.
 
"Especially because we had another shutout last game, coming off that win [against Albertus Magnus] was a big one and I'm excited for it, because we had six wins and six shutouts and that is huge for us," DePasquale said. "We want to keep going in that direction and especially playing Catskill Cup rival Oneonta it is always a big game. Last year we beat them 2-1, so we know they are going to come out firing. They are going to want to beat us this time, so we better come out hot and hopefully beat them again."
 
SUNY New Paltz travels to face SUNY Oneonta Saturday at 2 p.m.

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