New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz came back from a four-goal deficit to start to claim a 10-9 victory over visiting Plattsburgh Saturday on North Turf Field.
 
The game was carried by the Hawks' star freshmen who seemingly grew up in front of a large crowd that included a vast alumni base ready to watch the Hawks rally from a tough 25-goal loss Wednesday to nationally ranked Cortland. The young group showed some grit, rebounding from an early 4-0 hole to come away with the late win thanks to a go-ahead goal by freshman attacker Finn Smith with four minutes left in regulation.
 
Smith and fellow freshman midfielder Nick Darcangelo led the team offensively with three goals apiece, while leading point getter was freshman attacker Killian Yombor. And minus a rough first quarter, SUNY New Paltz held the Cardinals to just three goals on 10 shots on net with freshman goalie Zach Novak making 11 stops, while freshman defenseman Drew Hulede led the team with two caused turnovers and freshman LSM Noah Reed posted a team-high four ground balls.
 
SUNY New Paltz had a slow start, getting down by four within the first seven minutes before Anthony Senecal got the Hawks on the board with a man-up goal with six minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Cardinals ended the opening 15 minutes with a 6-4 advantage and out-shot the hosts, 12-7 in the period after winning 10-of-11 faceoffs. Smith scored a crucial goal though as the shot clock expired to trim the deficit to two entering the second.
 
SUNY New Paltz started settling in as the second period waned, especially on the defensive side. Hulede forced a turnover in the opening possession and Novak helped clear the other way, leading to a man-down goal by Nick Darcangelo on an assist by Senecal. After Plattsburgh scored two, coach Dylan Neisler called a timeout with 5:30 left in the quarter following a ground ball pickup by Reed on a Cardinals turnover. The team responded out of the break with a goal by Smith to get within two, as the score remained at 8-6 entering halftime.
 
 
Darcangelo got the Hawks within one, ripping a shot far pipe to get the score to 8-7 with just less than eight minutes to go and the offense stalled for both sides until the fourth quarter. Blake Lyons answered a Plattsburgh goal with a score for the Hawks to create a 9-8 difference with still 13 minutes remaining. On an extended possession with about seven minutes left, Darcangelo ripped another laser for his third of the day to tie the game at nine-all. Smith then scored the go-ahead goal with less than four minutes left, taking advantage of a nice save on the defensive side by Novak. Michael Plante took his turn first at goal, trying a bouncer that went over the cage. Smith was there to pick up the ball, dodged his defender from behind the cage and coolly place what ended as the game-winner in the back of the net.
 
Plattsburgh won the ensuing possession off the faceoff, but Quinn Tucker worked hard to win the ball back for SUNY New Paltz forcing a turnover. Colin Cleary was there for the ground ball pick up and the Hawks managed to milk the clock on their offensive set. They then stood firm defensively on the other end in the final 60 seconds, with the Cardinals' two final attempts at cage going wide and then blocked before time ran out.
 
SUNY New Paltz ultimately out-shot Plattsburgh, 39-37, including 21-18 in shots on goal. The hosts held the advantage in the turnover battle with 15 compared to 16 for the Cardinals, while being perfect in transition going 20-for-20 on clears. Plattsburgh did win at the faceoff X, totaling 16 to the Hawks' six, which in turn helped them pick up more ground balls in the game, 32-23.
 
The win keeps the Hawks' playoff hopes alive as they enter the last stretch of games for their regular season. They resume SUNYAC play April 19 at home against SUNY Canton. Game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on North Turf Field.
 

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