New Paltz, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz men's lacrosse team took its first win of the season against Manhattanville College 10-9 Wednesday in a back and forth battle until the very end on South Turf Field.
"It feels awesome. We've been putting in a lot of work over the last few months and it finally amounted to something," said Hawks coach
Dwayne Stewart. "We've been playing really well the entire year. A lot of close games and to come out on top of this one, it means the world to the guys."
Manhattenville started out on top after capitalizing on an unforced error by the SUNY New Paltz offense, as the turnover led to a quick transition down the field leading to a pass in by Patrick Magliocchino and a quick shot right in by Jesse McGrath.
The Hawks made their way to the attacking end after struggling to maintain possession the first five minutes. Freshman attacker James Flannagan got the shots rolling but was saved by Manhattenville goalie Jason Frezza. A failed clear attempt, with the turnover caused by defensive graduate student Joseph Bradbruy, gave SUNY New Paltz another chance on attack. Flannagan passed the ball in to junior attacker
Thomas Armetta who put one in low for the Hawks. Right off the bat sophomore faceoff specialist
Matt Brignati won the faceoff for another attacking opportunity. SUNY New Paltz capitalized with a pass from sophomore midfielder
Ryan Kaelin to sophomore attacker
John Reese who made his way around the crease and a shot low past the goalie bringing the Hawks up 2-1.
Gallery: (3-23-2022) Men's Lacrosse vs Manhattanville
Play for the rest of the quarter was back and forth. The Valiants capitalized on a clear after a shot by Flannagan was saved, making the score an even 2-2 ending the quarter.
"I believe in the first half we gave up a lot of goals that were against our defensive system, and once we kind of tightened that up, we did a much better job in the second half playing defense and on offense," said Stewart.
SUNY New Paltz began the second quarter on fire. Brignati won the face off and took it right down the field passing to Reese who put his shot into the back of the net, giving the Hawks a 3-2 advantage. Soon after Manhattenville tied it up, the Valients went on a scoring frenzy and put in five goals in the quarter compared to SUNY New Paltz's additional two. The score before half had the visitors up 7-5.
"When both teams settled the ball on [their] offensive side, I believe there was structure. A lot of it was a chess battle, and I think that's where we kind of won the game because we were able to work them in our system compared to what they were doing on the other side of the field," said Stewart.
The Hawks took control of the third quarter with a goal by Armetta with 13:31 left, making the score 7-6 in favor of the Valiants. Soon after, freshman midfielder
Anthony Senecal made a pass to junior midfielder Aiden Gregory to tie the game. Goals going back and forth until the end of the third with the final of the quarter by Reese and the assist by Flanagan had the teams entering the fourth with nine goals a piece.
SUNY New Paltz started the quarter with a disadvantage. Manhattenville automatically started the quarter with the ball due to the Hawks man-down situation that ended the third on a penalty by Gregory. The Hawks defense fought hard to pull off a huge penalty kill.
Both teams battled to maintain possession and get as many shots as they could. After a defensive stretch in the last five minutes the Hawks capitalized on a clear. After a shot by Senecal and a save by Frezza, Flannagan made his way around the crease and wiped a shot past Frezza to the bottom right to give his team the 10-9 lead. One more attacking opportunity for the Valiants didn't make it through with the SUNY New Paltz defense holding on strong with the Hawks hanging on to the ball until the clock ran out to secure their first win of the season — and first since 2020.
"We played a lot of good teams. Everyone's doubting us this year, and they're looking at these close games, they're seeing our record, and they're counting us out," Flanagan said. "And I mean, today we've just proved we're the team that can play with anyone."
The Hawks out shot Manhattenville 46-39. Reese had a team high of four goals. Brignati went 14-for-22 in faceoffs, two of which led straight to goals, while adding two assists for the faceoff specialist. Nate Lindsay and
Ryan Steinhart ended with a combined total of 12 saves and nine goals against with Steinhart earning the victory after playing the last 30 minutes and keeping Manhattanville scoreless in the final period.
"I felt really locked in," said Steinhart. "Yeah. I take my caffeine before and I get nice and ready for games like this.
"I think we have a lot more confidence than last year," he added. "Like, every single game this year, the improvement is just so obvious."
The Hawks play again at home Saturday on the South Turf Field against The College at Brockport in their first SUNYAC game of the season. Click here for live stream and stat updates.
Post-Game Featuring James Flanagan & Ryan Steinhart
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