New Paltz, NY — It was a hard-fought effort for the State University of New York at New Paltz Wednesday as it succumbed to visiting Vassar College at South Turf Field in its home opener.
 
Hoping to build off their momentum from their 2-1 road win at New York University last Saturday, the Hawks (3-2-1 overall) hosted the Brewers (3-2-0 overall) and had to battle back against a 2-0 deficit after halftime, falling just short in a 2-1 loss.
 
Just after the second minute of first half regulation time, Vassar's Owen Fauth knocked in his first of two goals on the day off an assist from Ryan Lane. Fauth went on to score again off a penalty kick in the 26th minute of the first half.
 
Entering halftime, SUNY New Paltz had no attempts offensively, while the Brewers registered six in the first 45 minutes of play. Fauth and Kyle Lopez recorded two shots while Lane and Derek Sando each recorded one during the first half. Hawks goalkeeper Christian Micheli had two saves on six shots but finished strong without allowing another goal through the second half, playing the entire 90 minutes.
 
 
In the 76th minute, Joseph DiPreta scored on a penalty kick to pull SUNY New Paltz within one. The second half was a big turnaround for the Hawks as they took seven shots total, five of them being on-goal and saved by Brewers goalkeeper Eric Wnorowski who finished with five saves. Gabriel Cruz, Michael Horner and Thomas O'Neill each had one shot, all being on-goal while midfielder Philip Varner took two shots with one being on-goal. Varner played the entire 90 minutes. DiPreta played 80 minutes and recorded two shots, both on-target, including his first goal of the season.
 
Vassar got out in front early on playing good defense and contained SUNY New Paltz well enough to hold on for the win in the second half. The Hawks look to bounce back and regain some confidence after a strong second half when they host Skidmore on Saturday at 1 p.m. on South Turf Field.

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