Farmingdale, NY — After earning a season-opening win last weekend, the State University of New York at New Paltz men's lacrosse team suffered its first loss of the season Wednesday night on the road at Farmingdale State.
 
The Rams (5-0 overall) scored seven unanswered goals to go up with a comfortable, 7-0 halftime lead. Thomas Armetta broke up the run, netting the Hawks' first goal on an assist from Aidan Gregory with 12 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Farmingdale State answered with four goals before Joseph Bradbury scored his second goal of the season for SUNY New Paltz after winning the ensuing faceoff, picking up the ground ball and finishing in the back of the cage to cut the score, 11-2 entering the fourth quarter.
 
Ryan Scully scored his sixth goal of the year for the Hawks to trim the deficit to nine with about 11 minutes left in the quarter. SUNY New Paltz's offense stalled from there, as the Rams added on with four more goals in the last six minutes to end the game.
 
Farmingdale held the advantage on shots, 57-22, including 22-1 in the second quarter alone. However, the Hawks' defense caused 18 turnovers in the game with the Rams taking advantage in the circle, winning 18 faceoffs to SUNY New Paltz's four.
 
"Defensively we matched up pretty well," said Hawks coach Dwayne Stewart. "Our offense didn't control the ball, which exhausted our defense. We have to continue to develop our young offensive players so we can play a well-rounded game."
 
Armetta paced SUNY New Paltz with four shots, three on goal, while Mason Pontrelli and Jones followed with three shots each. Bradbury and Rob Ziegler each totaled five ground balls and four caused turnovers to lead the Hawks defensively.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back on its home turf Saturday when it hosts Bard College on the South Turf Field at 3 p.m.

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