New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz suffered a 2-0 loss against SUNY Oneonta Wednesday on South Turf Field.
 
The Hawks dropped to 5-2-1 in the SUNYAC and 9-6-1 overall with the defeat, as the Red Dragons climbed the SUNYAC standings to 18 points as they improved to 6-2 in the conference, tied for second with Buffalo State which SUNY New Paltz defeated Saturday. The latter held onto 16 points and are listed fifth in the league standings entering the weekend.
 
The game started with a tough bounce for the Hawks. After just more than a minute into the opening whistle, the hosts were looking at a 1-0 deficit. Oneonta played a tight cross atop the six-yard box that was headed softly back by center back Owen McGarrity to goalkeeper Christian Micheli, but Michelli, anticipating the cross, was leaning one way when the pass back took a bounce to his left instead, going past him and into the back of the net for the game's first goal.
 
The score seemingly took the air out of the highly anticipated matchup with both teams vying for top seeding in the SUNYAC Tournament with just two games remaining in conference play.
 
SUNY New Paltz narrowly tied the game with about 16 minutes left in the first half. Ryan Zindler started the play, beating his man down the wing to get a cross off that floated far post. The Red Dragons defended the dangerous service in well, but couldn't clear out of the box, as the rebound trickled to the feet of David Acker who one-timed a half-volley from about 15-yards out that was an inch high of knotting up the score, but instead the attempt careened off the cross bar to keep the game at a goal difference.
 
Although the Red Dragons out-shot the Hawks in the first half, 7-4, SUNY New Paltz still managed dangerous chances in their offensive third to give themselves a chance for the equalizer. There was no opportunity more dangerous than in the 55th minute when Acker sent a beautiful ball lofted across the six for Brian Boylan far post who dove and headed the ball toward frame for the highlight goal, but the chance was saved by the Red Dragons. Bryan Lizama found the loose ball to try putting away the second attempt, but the Oneonta defense got enough on the attempt to deflect the shot, allowing its goalkeeper to smother and keep the shutout alive.
 
 
As the game waned, the visitors garnered more momentum in the midfield. The Red Dragons did well to diffuse the Hawks' ability to transition into their offensive third and in turn, they kept pressure on SUNY New Paltz's back line.
 
Micheli came through with two huge stops to keep the game a 1-0. The most impressive stop was in the 58th minute, as Ali Somow used his quickness to create space just inside the box and rip a shot intended for the far corner. Micheli used all of his 6-foot, 4-inch frame to stretch and get a hand on the attempt to parry the shot away for a corner.
 
SUNY New Paltz's offense stalled in the last few minutes of the game. Its final attempt was a long throw in its offensive third, but the Red Dragons used the set piece as a counter opportunity. Oneonta's defense got a foot on the ball to clear and quickly transitioned to Nico Loaiza who changed the field and found Somow opposite side for the breakaway. The forward made sure to take advantage of the opportunity and buried his shot upper corner to solidify the 2-0 outcome.
 
Oneonta ended up out-shooting the Hawks, 15-9 in the match, including 8-2 on goal, while generating five corners to SUNY New Paltz's three. Alex Wyant, Brian Boylan and Brandon Dhanoolal each had two shots to lead the hosts, while Micheli finished with six saves in the full 90 minutes of action.
 
The Hawks conclude the regular season on the road Saturday, facing SUNY Oswego for a noon matchup.


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