Last Saturday, the State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team played what head coach Kyle Clancy said was their best game of the year. This week, the team looks to keep that momentum going as they aim for their sixth and seventh wins of the season Friday and Saturday as they host The College at Brockport at South Turf Field at 4 p.m Friday, and SUNY Geneseo Saturday at 1 p.m. The Hawks will look for their fourth win in their last five games against the Golden Eagles, and hopefully will be going for season win number seven against the Knights. Brockport enters Friday's game winners of four straight.
SUNY New Paltz is coming off a complete performance last Saturday, a 3-0 win at King's College in Wilkes Barre, PA. Ryan Stevens scored in the first half, while Philip Varner and Paul Tola added scores in the second half to give the visitors the win. It was Stevens' and Tola's first goals of the year, while Varner netted his second.
The Hawks face a Brockport squad that is on a roll and second in the SUNYAC in goals with 16. They have out-scored their opponents 15-3 in their four-game win streak, including a 6-2 rout of Elmira College on Sept. 11. Senior forward Matthew Stefaniw has been on a tear so far, leading the team in goals with seven. He has a shot on goal percentage of 0.696.
SUNY New Paltz is looking for its first ever victory against the Golden Eagles in more than two decades. Dating back to September of 2002, Brockport owns a 13-0-1 record against the Hawks. The lone tie between the two schools was a 1-1 draw on Oct. 1, 2018 at Brockport.
Saturday, SUNY New Paltz squares off against a Geneseo team that is 3-2-2 following Tuesday's 1-1, double overtime tie against Rochester. The Knights have scored 13 goals on the season to the Hawks' 14. Junior Ryan Hilke leads them in both points (9) and goals (3) this season. In a 2-1 overtime victory Sept. 11 against Hobart, he scored the go-ahead goal in the 98th minute.
Clancy said both upcoming contests, combining well in the final third, defending as a unit, covering ground quickly and applying pressure will be vital, as will owning the box. The Hawks have been great defensively this year, to the tune of allowing just three goals through their first seven games, and Clancy wants them to continue to be relentless winning the ball back. He also is looking for them to continue their strong play offensively.
"We need to make sure we have long stretches of dominance of the ball, and dictating the play to create good chances," he said. "We have worked hard on the final third the last two weeks and I am confident that will pay off."
Both teams, said Clancy, present a physical challenge.
"We need to be physically ready for the battle we will face this weekend," he continued. "Both teams are athletic and work very hard. It will be important that we win those battles individually and outwork them on both sides of the ball."
With both games being in New Paltz, Clancy is looking forward to having a home-field advantage.
"It is nice to start in our environment," he said. "We are looking forward to good support from our home crowd to create a great atmosphere."
Despite the previous history between SUNY New Paltz and their two opponents Friday and Saturday, Clancy does not concern himself with what has happened before, as he is relishing the opportunities he has with this current group to continue to push forward and string together victories as the season wears on.
"The past is the past," he said. "We know we are capable of playing with anyone and are excited to take on two good opponents this weekend."
The Hawks will have some extra support in the stands, as they will honor last year's graduating class prior to their Saturday contest against the Knights.
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