Madison, NJ — After a postponement Wednesday due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida, the State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team was able to get the season off to a solid start a day later by defeating Union 3-0. Saturday, the Hawks' wishes for a 2-0 beginning to the year were thwarted by Rowan University, who only needed one goal to dash those hopes of the Hawks. 

The Profs' Jay Vandermark scored with 16 minutes, 40 seconds remaining in the first half for the first and only goal for either squad on the afternoon in what was predominantly a defensive and physical struggle the whole way through 90 minutes. 

Fifteen shots were registered all game, with the Hawks tallying six and Rowan tallying nine. SUNY New Paltz, despite seven corners and five shots on goal, were never able to break the Profs' defense. They had three attempts from the corner in the final two minutes but were unable to capitalize, the last of which was a bicycle kick attempt by freshman Thomas O'Neill that had some strength behind it but was unable to reach the back of the net. The play was a microcosm of the day for the Hawks, who just could not get Rowan's back line to break to tie the game. Despite that inability, head coach Kyle Clancy liked his team's aggressiveness.  

"We created some good chances in the first half and could have easily tied it up," he said. "Their goalkeeper made some good saves." 

The Hawks generated three shots apiece in the first and second half with five coming on frame, while Rowan totaled nine shots, only three on target. However, the second half SUNY New Paltz earned five corner kick opportunities. Bryan Boylan and O'Neill led team with two shots each with their minutes coming off the bench.  

"It was a good performance against a big, athletic team," said Clancy. "They defended well and closed space quickly. We will learn from this game and be better in the next one. I'm proud of how we battled and showed how we are capable of playing with anyone." 

The Hawks end day two of the Drew Tournament Sunday with a matchup with FDU Florham at 4 p.m.