Throggs Neck, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz opened up its 2024 season on the road at SUNY Maritime Wednesday night and suffered a 20-9 loss.
 
The Hawks (0-1) went into the game shorthanded, battling injuries along its midfield line and the lack of depth proved costly down the stretch after SUNY New Paltz fought to close the gap midway through the second quarter.
 
The Privateers got out to a 4-0 lead within the first 10 minutes, taking advantage of early issues for the Hawks on the clear. The hosts third goal came directly off a turnover in SUNY New Paltz's half on an intercepted pass leading to a quick goal. Hawks coach Dylan Neisler immediately called a timeout following the score with more than five minutes to go and the play picked up with Thomas Armetta getting his team on the board to cut the difference to 4-1 entering the second.
 
Maritime was hit with a cross checking penalty before the first quarter buzzer sounded with the Hawks taking the man-up advantage into the next period of play. They capitalized just 12 seconds in, as they moved the ball to find the open man with Ryan Scully the beneficiary on an assist from James Flanagan to get within two early.
 
Scully was called on an illegal body check two minutes later, but SUNY New Paltz's defense backed by a nice save from Ryan Stienhart killed the penalty to keep the game within two. Maritime started rolling though after scoring off a turnover from the Hawks to make the score 5-2, which instigated a 12-0 run.  
The Privateers scored 10 unanswered goals in the third to break the game open and held a 14-point advantage entering the fourth. Armetta Anthony Senecal, Flanagan, Scully and John Reese all found the back of the net in the final eight minutes of the game to bring the score to 20-9 by the last whistle of play.
 
Flanagan led the Hawks offensively with two goals and three assists on three shots, three of which were on goal. Armetta followed with three goals and one assist on six shots with one ground ball and a caused turnover. Zachary Leung led the team defensively, totaling a team-high four ground balls and two caused turnovers. Quinn Tucker was SUNY New Paltz's main face-off man, going 14-for-28 on the day.
 
Maritime held the advantage on shots, 56-35, shots on goal, 34-23 and ground balls, 41-30. The Hawks suffered 24 turnovers to the Privateers 20, while each team secured 16 faceoff wins and 14 saves from their goalies. Steinhart played 42-plus minutes and made 12 stops, Dan Clark made his collegiate debut, logging 17 minutes and tallied two saves.
 
SUNY New Paltz resumes play Feb. 28 when it hosts Farmingdale State for its home opener on South Turf Field. Start time is scheduled for 3 p.m.


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