New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz hosted SUNY Plattsburgh Wednesday on South Turf Field, battling to a 1-1 draw.
 
The Hawks controlled the game at the start, putting pressure on the Cardinals back line with their press and ultimately took the lead in just the sixth minute following a re-start on the defensive end. Ryan Bochenski played a nice ball through to Gabriel Cruz on the wing with the senior trying to center a pass across the box, but Plattsburgh got a foot on the ball to disrupt the play until Philip Varner found the loose ball and buried his attempt bottom left corner for the game's first goal.  
 
SUNY New Paltz continued garnering chances on frame, as Joseph DiPreta created some space near the top of the box and took a rip with Cardinals keeper Teddy Healy making a diving stop leading to a corner. The Hawks were inches from taking a 2-0 lead on the ensuing set piece, as Samuel Snider sent in an in-swinging left-footed service toward the middle of the six for the head of Luca Giammarino whose shot careened off the cross bar and out of the play in the 16th minute.
 
 
Two minutes later, SUNY New Paltz sent a ball across toward the edge of the box with DiPreta letting the ball go on a dummy for Varner, who took a touch before winding up for a right-footed attempt but his shot knocked off the hand of a Cardinals defender uncalled by the official as they let play continue, the loose ball fell in the middle of the box to Yare Harris who one-timed a shot off the cross bar.
 
Almost immediately following, Plattsburgh worked the ball down field and earned a corner of its own and sent a service toward the back post for John Hayes who got a header down on goal. Christian Micheli made a reaction save to get his hands on the attempt but couldn't corral the ball from danger as Jack Healy was there to clean up the rebound, burying his one-timer in the back of the net to knot up the score at ones with 11 minutes left in the half.  
The momentum was shifted toward the Cardinals in the second half. Plattsburgh got in behind in the 69th minute resulting in a 1-v-1 with Micheli. The junior came out and did well to cut off the angle with the shot going high of frame. But the Plattsburgh's best chance came off a long throw into the box. With the officials letting play-on with some physicality in the box, the ball trickled out from chaos about 20 yards from net with the Cardinals taking a rip that was destined for the far-left corner until Micheli came flying in to get both hands on the attempt and stop the threat.
 
Still, SUNY New Paltz had a chance to take the lead late. Plattsburgh mishandled a ball played from the back, allowing Snider to step in and win the ball in the Hawks' offensive third. The freshman then took a touch into the box and had a 1-v-1 with Healy, but his shot from about 10-yards out went high of target.
 
The Hawks out-shot the Cardinals 6-4 in the first half, but the visitors held the advantage on the game, 9-7, including five shots on target to SUNY New Paltz's three. Plattsburgh also generated eight corners to the Hawks' one. DiPreta and Varner each totaled two shots apiece, while Micheli finished with four saves.
 
Returning to SUNYAC play Saturday, the Hawks host SUNY Geneseo on South Turf Field at 1 p.m.

Hawks vs. Plattsburgh Game Highlights

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