Poughkeepsie, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz battled back from a three-goal deficit on the road Wednesday, needing just 14 minutes to knot the score to earn a 3-3 tie over Vassar.
 
The opening 76 minutes wasn't the most optimistic for the Hawks, giving up goals in the 17th, 43rd and then 57th to face a grueling 3-0 deficit against the hosting Brewers. However, SUNY New Paltz stayed steadfast, playing until the final whistle to chip away at the difference to earn a much-deserved point on the day.
 
The Hawks had more chances throughout the game, out-shooting Vassar, 19-8 through 90 minutes, but the Brewers held the slight edge in shots on target, 6-5, while SUNY New Paltz garnered more set pieces, earning four corners to the hosts two, which all came in the second half.
 
Both of Vassar's first-half goals stemmed off free kicks due to fouls from the Hawks' defense. The Brewers took a 2-0 lead at the break and added on with a penalty kick goal in the 57th after Ryan Bochenski was given a foul in the box off a corner with Vassar capitalizing on the pk.
 
SUNY New Paltz senior forward Colin Brant subbed in to start the 76th minute and made an immediate impact to give his team life. Scoring less than a minute after stepping onto the pitch, Brant finished on a ball from David Lamour to cut the score to 3-1.  
The Hawks' bench became the difference as Zack Beach entered the game in the 85th and helped on a Ryan Bochenski goal, along with left back Samuel Snider, to trim the difference to one in the 86th with the senior center back scoring his first career goal.
 
With four minutes remaining in regulation, SUNY New Paltz was forced to play a man-down after Riley Tait was given a red. However, the Hawks sustained their momentum and continued to press on as Brandon Dhanoolal nearly put away the equalizer shortly after the visitors won back possession. The Brewers then gifted SUNY New Paltz a prime opportunity, called for a foul in the box to return the favor of a penalty kick. Senior captain Alex Wyant lined up the ball on the penalty stripe and put away the game tying goal in the 87th, sealing the come-back for his team.
 
Both teams tallied a shot in the final three minutes with Joe Washington coming up with a stop in the 89th, solidifying the 3-3 stalemate.
 
Washington finished with three saves in the win. Defenders Snider and Bochenski joined Washington as the only Hawks to clock a full 90 on the day with the two combining for a goal an assist. Wyant led the team offensively with tree shots, one on target and a goal in 77 minutes with sophomore forward Ryan Zindler also contributing three shots in 49 minutes.
 
SUNY New Paltz improved to 2-1-2 with Wednesday's result as it resumes play Saturday, going on the road to face Manhattanville at 12 p.m.


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