New Paltz, NY — Prior to the start of the 2021 State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer season, head coach Kyle Clancy identified the goal for this year's campaign as a SUNYAC Championship and nothing less.  

Nine games in, and the Hawks have taken the necessary steps towards that goal. Heading into their second consecutive Friday-Saturday home set, they own a 7-2 record as they ready for SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Plattsburgh, the former who visit South Turf Field Friday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m and the latter who visit Saturday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m.  

The contests will be SUNY New Paltz's third and fourth conference games of the season, following a 2-1 win over The College at Brockport Sept. 24 and a 2-0 win over SUNY Geneseo Sept. 25, both of which were home wins. The Hawks have played stifling defense all season, recording five shutouts and conceding just four goals. Senior goalkeeper Marc DePasquale has been stellar all year, tallying 17 saves on the season. 

"When you're on a good team with a good defensive group, you're not going to be asked to make a ton of saves," said the coach about his goalkeeper's relatively low save total. "Marc's played fantastic. His positioning has been good and he's made those big saves when he's had to."  

Overall, the Hawks have allowed just 54 shots and only 21 on target, while conceding four goals against — the latter is the fewest allowed in the conference. 

"The back line has been great and they've been able to win the box well, minimizing the big chances," Clancy said. "That stems from how hard the central midfielders work, to the pressure that is put on up front, to the way that we are pressing better to not let teams have as many opportunities in our final third. Collectively, the team defends really well." 

SUNY New Paltz is led in the scoring department by Kenneth Roby, who has scored six goals. Ryan Stevens scored his second goal of the season in the 2-0 victory over the Knights, joining Phillip Varner and Owen McGarrity with two. Brandon Davenport, Joseph DiPreta, Tim Kane, James Maltes, Gabriel Cruz and Paul Tola each scored once. 

"There's a lot of talent and equally as much work rate in six to eight guys in that front group," said Clancy of the Hawks' well-rounded attack. "What I'm most impressed with is that the level starts high with the guys who are getting the opportunity to start, and then when we sub in, it stays high and sometimes even picks up with people who come off the bench and score goals. 

"It's a huge thing for any team to have guys who understand their positions and what they need to be doing when they get out there and how to best have an impact." 

SUNY New Paltz's potent offense will be met with two teams who also play strong offensive games. 

Up first are the Bears, with Friday's game being the first matchup between the two schools since Oct. 26, 2019, which ended in a 2-2 overtime tie on Senior Day. The history between the two programs dates all the way back to 1958, and the two schools have tied two out of the last four times they have met. Potsdam comes into the game with a 2-5-2 record. Their last victory was a 2-0 win over SUNY Canton on Sept. 20. The Bears are led offensively by senior midfielder Sebastian Matos, who paces the team in goals and points with two apiece.

"They have a couple different styles," Clancy said. "They press a little higher at times, they sit back and wait to counter… We just have to be prepared for both. They create a lot in the box on set pieces and they've got some guys who attack the ball well, their delivery is pretty good. We have to make sure we continue to do what we have done well, defending the box well, attack the ball, and good clearances." 

As much as records tell a story, they can also be deceiving. The Bears have played tough games and will test the home team. 

"They're a hardworking team that's going to pose a good threat," added Clancy. "We have to come out with the right mentality and know that they're going to be a strong opponent." 

Plattsburgh is 3-4-1 on the year, with its last win coming Sept. 21 at Sage, a 5-0 victory. In its last meeting against SUNY New Paltz, the Cardinals shut the Hawks out, 2-0. Despite their under .500 record, they do lead the SUNYAC in points, with 57, and are tied with Buffalo State in goals scored with 19. Freshman midfielder Brian Coughlan has scored five goals on the year to lead the team. Along with him and sophomore Dylan Shalvey, who has scored three times, four other players have scored twice. 

"They're a good team," Clancy said. "Chris [Taylor, Plattsburgh head coach] has done a great job bringing in some really talented players. They are organized defensively, they press well and try to make your life building out of the back difficult… They've got some young guys who can score and they've got good players in the middle who cover a lot of ground. They won't be easy to break down. You have to take advantage of the chances you create." 

Clancy believes his team will need to be sharp defensively, making sure they are putting pressure on the ball. As they head for win number eight Friday, he likes the way his team has started and wants that to continue. 

"If you can get 12 points from your first four games, it's a dream start," Clancy said. "The goal is taking it game by game and coming out with wins in each game… The mentality has got to be approaching it one team and one game at a time. Thinking about three points against Potsdam and then approach the next day the same way."

Saturday's game is expected to gain a large crowd of family, friends, alumni and fans to support the Hawks in their annual Heinz Ahlmeyer Jr. Game, which will also serve as senior day for their last home game of the regular season. To read more, click here.

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