New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz came out strong against No. 14 SUNY Oneonta Wednesday out on South Turf Field, but after conceding the equalizer the momentum shifted with a questionable call in the box resulting in the game-winner for the Red Dragons who walked away with a 3-1 win.
 
The Hawks struck first in the 18th minute after starting the game strong, finding opportunities inside their offensive third. Philip Varner created the chance, keeping possession on the end line before finding Joseph DiPreta who played a curving service back inside the six-yard box. Ryan Hilliard was there to body inside the box with the rebound trickling to Tim Kane who fired his shot through traffic for the score.
 
Oneonta picked up its up play in the last half of the opening 45 minutes and put away the equalizer in the 23rd minute after earning a long throw in its offensive third. John Bernardi played in a long throw toward the back of the six-yard box to an open Joe Holder who headed in the score to the right side to tie the game at 1-1.
 
The goal gave the Red Dragons some momentum, as they continued to press in their offensive end with Lucas Fecci narrowly adding a second four minutes late with his shot careening off the left post and out of play. They eventually put in the go-ahead score on a tough call in the box for SUNY New Paltz. Spencer Ryczek toe-poked a ball away from Oneonta with goalie Christian Micheli picking up the loose ball that was called a back-pass to the keeper, which resulted in an in-direct free kick just outside the six-yard box.
 
Ian Zingaro took the free kick and his attempt was blocked by the Hawks' five-man wall, but bounced to the feet of Ethan Brunell who sliced his half-volley into the top right corner for the score. The goal changed the game, as Oneonta controlled the rest of the half and added an insurance goal with four minutes left before the break. Fecci worked his way through SUNY New Paltz's defense and created a 1-v-1 with Micheli, beating the sophomore keeper to his left for the score.
 
 
"The first goal you can't give up," said Hawks coach Kyle Clancy. "When a team is this good you have to make them earn it. They earned the third goal. We need to do a better job defending. We knew he liked to dribble out of the back. We knew exactly what we needed to do when the forward checks and the combination play, but a lack of execution in the first one is pretty inexcusable."
 
The Hawks came out and played the Red Dragons tough in the second half and created chances to minimize the deficit. The best chance for SUNY New Paltz was again created by Varner who worked his way down the left flank, beating a defender and slotting a pass inside to Alex Wyant who had an opportunity inside the six, but took one too many touches which allowed Oneonta to get a touch on the ball that goalie Nate Hanna corralled.
 
Micheli made a nice diving stop off a Red Dragons free kick toward the end of the second half and although the Hawks earned some set pieces which they put in the box, the Red Dragons litigated the damage to hold onto the two-goal win.  
"The first goal definitely changed a little bit of momentum, but when you make a bad call like that, and it impacts the game to give up the lead it's tough," said Clancy of the in-direct called in the box. "They fought well in the second half. There were chances on both sides, fairly even but they're not an easy team to score against."
 
Oneonta finished with 13 shots, eight of which on frame, while SUNY New Paltz registered 11 shots, three on target. It earned just one corner in the match, while the Red Dragons totaled five corners, four of which came in the second half.
 
Varner was the standout for the Hawks, as his work on the ball created opportunities for his team throughout the match. He played all 90 minutes and tallied a team-high three shots with Thomas O'Neill matching him with three shots as well in 61 minutes. Micheli ended with five saves on the day.
 
"He was great. I thought he was one of, if not the best player on the field," said Clancy of Varner. "In the first half he created a ton and in the second half they definitely had a closer eye on him and tried to take him out of the game, but he still found ways to get on the ball and create. We just need more guys like that to step up in these big games, have the composure and confidence to break teams down like that."
 
SUNY New Paltz dropped to 5-3-2 overall and 2-1 in the SUNYAC, currently sitting tied in third in the conference standings with six points. It next hosts Buffalo State Saturday, which enters the match 1-2 in the SUNYAC after its loss to The College at Brockport Wednesday.
 
"We'll do a lot of work of watching them on video and seeing what they're like. I know they're a technical team. They're a good individual group. They definitely have some good pieces and they're not going to be an easy team, so we have to come out ready to play," Clancy said.
 
The Hawks are set to face the Bengals Saturday at 1 p.m. on South Turf Field. The game will also represent the program's annual Heinz Ahlmeyer Jr. Game in remembrance of veteran and1966 alumnus Heinz Ahlmeyer Jr. All proceeds from the game will go directly to the SUNY New Paltz Office of Veteran and Miliary Services.  

Game Highlights 9/28/22


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