New Paltz, NY — Bouncing back from a mid-week loss, the State University of New York New Paltz took down previously undefeated Buffalo State Saturday, 2-0.
 
The game was highly anticipated in terms of SUNYAC standings, as the Bengals (12-1-1 overall, 6-1-0 SUNYAC) came into the match sitting atop the league at a perfect, 6-0. The lone blemish for the Hawks (9-5-1, 5-1-1), meanwhile, was a loss on the road Wednesday against Plattsburgh. However, the team showed their resiliency to rebound with a victory Saturday in front of a large home crowd and an abundance of alumni in SUNY New Paltz's final regular season Saturday home stand.
 
"Obviously it was massive coming off that loss, but we just knew we needed to bounce back especially being at home," said Hawks grad student Tim Kane. "We didn't have that many home games, so it was really nice to build up a big crowd and we just love playing in front of all that energy. They really gave us that extra boost that we needed to get us those two goals by them. But yeah, big rebound win off an undefeated Buffalo State team."
 
After a scoreless first half with SUNY New Paltz holding the slight advantage on shots, 7-5, the hosts did well to control most of the second half. Most of the pressure came on each of the team's left flanks with right back Ryan Bochenski playing a clean game for the Hawks limiting Buffalo State's chances down the sideline. Meanwhile, the Hawks managed to expose the Bengals on their strong side, particularly with freshman Ryan Zindler, as the Roy C. Ketcham High alum used his speed to create havoc in his team's offensive third.
 
"I figured that out on one of the first plays when I got the ball. It was just me and him and I took him down the line," Zindler said. "He gave me all that space and I was able to shoot past him and after that I just knew he was a slow defender and I just needed to do what I usually do, beat him with speed. I was looking to take him on every time and looking for that through ball from the back and it worked a lot, and that's where we saw a lot of our progress and made a lot of success."
 
Earning a corner on that side, Brian Boylan played the ball in toward the back post for Alex Wyant who got a head on the shot, which careened off the post. Boylan had another look off the rebound but the attempt was saved with still 33 minutes left in the second half.
 
 
Bryan Lizama created another good chance for the go-ahead goal for the Hawks, beating his man on the far side before getting taken down just outside the 18-yard box leading to a free kick for fellow freshman Brandon Dhanoolal. The left-footed Dhanoolal looked to bend an attempt to the far post trying for his team-leading eighth of the year and second off a set piece at home, but his service went too far wide and out of play. Buffalo State countered quick off the re-start and earned a corner on the other end, but SUNY New Paltz did well defensively to clear anything dangerous away from goal.
 
With 25 minutes to go in the game, the Bengals found one last real chance after garnering another corner kick opportunity. They sent the ball in and didn't get an initial shot off the service, but kept the play alive with an attempt from point-blank range. SUNY New Paltz stayed composed within the scrum and got a block on the shot before moving up as a defensive unit to force an offsides call on another ball played in to stop the threat.
Shortly after, the Hawks earned their opportunity. Owen McGarrity sent the initial ball in, finding Colin Brant who worked to get some space and laid a shot on goal that was initially saved. Zindler was there however to clean up on the play, calmly slotting his third of the year to push his team out in front, 1-0.
 
"It honestly felt great coming out against a top team," Zindler said. "We knew there was going to be a lot of people here and we came out, gave it all we got and got the results we wanted, especially after the loss on Wednesday."
 
Less than two minutes later, SUNY New Paltz struck again. Alberto Molina this time played a great ball over the top to Zindler who smoked his defender to get endline and lasered a ball just above the six-yard box for Kane. The former center back got a touch on the cross and tapped in his second of the year for the insurance goal with 22 minutes left to play. The duo found the swarm of alumni along the fence and celebrated with current and former teammates alike as the crowd erupted.
 
"A love the dog pile that's what I look forward to every time," Kane said. "Every time you see those alumni over there you look for them when you score. I love running over to them. It brings so much more energy. We were just talking about energy — they bring a different type of energy from that fan side."
 
The momentum was fully swung toward the hosts and SUNY New Paltz closed out from there. The catalyst were Kane, Zindler, Brant and David Acker off the bench with the quartet providing the spark needed in the 2-0 victory.
 
"I'm in a different role this season coming off the bench, but this whole season has been about bringing that energy when we come on," Kane said. "Sometimes when we don't have that energy out there, we're able to come in and step it up immediately and it has a huge impact on the field. We have great depth. When we come on there's no drop off from any of our guys on our side, so when we come on it's an even higher level than before and we were able to get those two goals."
 
The offense was spread around for the Hawks as Wyant, Boylan, Zindler and Kane each had three shots apiece, while Zindler tallied the game-winner and an assist in 29 minutes off the bench.
 
"We have a lot depth and sometimes when our first line isn't producing how our coach wants it to be we always just come out and bring the level up… and that energy just needs to be brought to every game, because every game is going to be a competition and a fight," Zindler said.
 
The victory Saturday lands SUNY New Paltz tied for second with 16 points alongside SUNY Cortland, while the Bengals keep a finger onto the top seed with 18 points. With only two games left in SUNYAC play remaining, the Hawks put themselves in great position to earn home-field advantage with a regular season title. However, they have arguably their toughest test of the season Wednesday, as they host No. 19 SUNY Oneonta in their regular season home finale on South Turf Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 

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