New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz tied visiting Skidmore, 1-1 thanks to a free kick strike from freshman Luca Giammarino.
 
"This team is a good team," said Hawks coach Kyle Clancy. "They fight, they work hard, they're organized and they have a lot of talent, so to fight back and not let that [first half] goal mentally put us down to come back and get a goal and create a lot of chances — I thought we created more chances in the second half than they did. It's a good sign for our team, so I'm really happy with that."
 
Skidmore took a one goal advantage in the 12th minute of the game, winning the ball on the sideline and playing a lofted service over SUNY New Paltz's backline creating a one-v-one with goalie Christian Micheli. Kamal Ibrahim slotted his shot just past the sophomore for his fifth goal of the season to give his team the one goal lead.
 
The Hawks created within their offensive half, but Thoroughbreds goalie Bobby Stratts did a good job of eating up all balls played in his 18-yard box, utilizing his full 6-foot, 6-inch frame. SUNY New Paltz did a better job with services in the second half and created more opportunities on goal in the in the final 45 minutes.
 
 
"It wasn't an adjustment at halftime, it was the game plan going into the game, but it's hard.," Clancy said. "You're not always going to get perfect delivery when you want it. We got a couple ways, we tried to catch Owen [McGarrity] at that near post which we had two great chances in the second half with both runs. We didn't connect on the back-post ones and he's typically pretty good at hitting frame so little bounces didn't quite happen like we needed but delivery was definitely better in the second half. That was the game plan, but he's a good goalie and he's tough to score on."
 
SUNY New Paltz tied up the score in the 77th minute after Philip Varner was tripped up just outside the 18-yard box. Giammarino's name was called and the freshman delivered as he curved his attempt just over the wall into the top left corner out of the reach of Stratts to tie the game at one goal apiece. "He has been pretty darn good in practice, so I would say it started in preseason," Clancy said. "[Assistant coach] Scott [Zobre] told me when we were breaking up groups how good he was and then we saw it the last few days and a few days before games and he's been good. He places it where he wants, and he puts pace on it and you need that to beat a goalie of that caliber. We were just hoping for one more chance and he put it away. I would love to see us create more in the run of play and I think we did have better opportunities today, but it was nice to get one off a set piece."
 
"Credit goes out to Scotty our assistant coach," Giammarino added. "We were doing free kicks at practice, and he told Clancy that I'm alright at them, so we did a couple at practice and I had some alright shots so it wasn't a total surprise that I went to take one, but I was really happy that coach believed in me to take one. He relied on me, and I really appreciate that."
 
Both teams had chances in the final 10 minutes, but nothing threatening on goal with Skidmore putting one last shot on target on a free kick in the final seconds, but Micheli was there to make the collapsed diving save.
 
SUNY New Paltz out-shot the Thoroughbreds, 15-8, including 11-7 in the second half with the Hawks also holding the advantage on target, 6-4. Skidmore had more corners, 6-4. Micheli finished with three saves, playing all 90 minutes.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in action Wednesday, going on the road to take on Plattsburgh State Wednesday at 4 p.m.


Post-Game Interview Featuring Luca Giammarino


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