New Paltz, NY — Despite strong efforts from both teams, the State University of New York at New Paltz and the Scranton Royals tied Saturday, 0-0.  

Although shooting more accurately, the Hawks (2-1-1) were unable to create any successful set pieces against Scranton (1-0-1). SUNY New Paltz tallied six shots with five on frame, compared to the Royals' 10 with only three on target. Despite less action in the offensive and defensive ends, the match proved intense with physicality in the midfield, as four yellow cards were dealt during the 90 minutes.  

In only the fourth minute of play, Brandon Dhanoolal fired a ball toward frame from the top right side of the box. The strike dinged off the crossbar into the center of the sixteen, where Ryan Zinder was waiting and attempted again on net, but the Royals' goalkeeper Charlie Smith corralled the shot.

A foul against SUNY New Paltz just a minute later resulted in a free kick for Dhanoolal, who sent a ball in towards the box and found Zindler again in front of the net. The sophomore struck a low shot, but Smith blocked the try.  The Royals constructed their first solid set piece in the 10th minute off a corner, where a Scranton forward got a touch on the ball and tried to bury it, but the shot went out left. 

In the 17th minute, Hawks keeper Matt Katz stopped a Royals fast break with a remarkable sliding save and sent the ball in the other direction. On the offensive end, Riley Tait headed a loose ball inside, where Dhanoolal settled the pass and set up Alex Wyant perfectly to come through with a shot on net. Again, Smith came up in clutch for Scranton and smothered the attempt. 

The remainder of the first proved uneventful besides the 30th minute, as Scranton's James Mayo was penalized with a yellow card. Neither team could net a shot, and the half ended 0-0. 

The second started the same as the first ended — with a yellow card penalty. Katz was found out of the net while Scranton was advancing upfield, and the junior was forced to foul on the field in a last-ditch effort to stop the drive. From the free kick, the Royals were able to get a shot off, but the ball soared over the crossbar, which ceased Scranton's momentum.
Not even ten minutes later, another yellow was handed out on the field, this time to Scranton. The Hawks could not take advantage of the stoppage, but neither could the Royals, as they were called offside on the following possession.

SUNY New Paltz only made one more try on net in the 76th minute when Colin Brant missed just shy of the left post. Ryan Bochenski was dealt a yellow in the 86th, but it was inconsequential, as Scranton could not get past the Hawks' strong defensive unit for the time remaining. In their last-second efforts, the Royals were called offside before the period ended, with the match finishing scoreless. 

Dhanoolal led with three attempts on net, followed by Wyant and Zindler, who each took one shot on frame. Bochenski and Samuel Snider anchored the backline, both playing 90 minutes for the Hawks. Katz played the full game in net and recorded two saves. 

The Hawks head on the road to face cross-river rival Vassar on Wednesday. Kick-off is set for 4:30 p.m. 

Post-Game Highlights (by Lorenzo Chen)



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