NEW PALTZ, NY – The State University of New York New Paltz men's soccer team battled unbeaten The College of New Jersey Saturday afternoon, earning a 1-1 draw in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action on North Turf Field.
The Hawks (8-4-2 overall, 2-2-1 NJAC) controlled much of the offensive action against a Lions squad that entered the contest without a loss through its first 13 games. SUNY New Paltz outshot TCNJ 14-5, including a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal, while earning seven corner kicks to the Lions' three.
TCNJ struck first in the eighth minute when Chris Meder intercepted a pass in the Hawks' defensive end and found Matias Hornos inside the penalty area. Hornos finished the opportunity to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage just 7:40 into the contest.
SUNY New Paltz quickly settled into the matchup, generating opportunities as it looked to erase the early deficit. Owen Joyce tested Lions goalkeeper Sean Najdzinowicz in the 12th minute with a powerful strike, before Ryan Zindler sent an attempt wide in the 16th.
The Hawks continued applying pressure midway through the half. Dante Gulla forced another stop from Najdzinowicz in the 20th minute, while Joyce created an additional opportunity following a corner kick in the 29th, sending his attempt over the crossbar.
Zindler nearly found the equalizer in the 33rd minute, putting another shot on target, but Najdzinowicz was there for the save. Senior Riley Tait followed with an attempt in the 39th minute, but the header attempt nearly found the back of the net as SUNY New Paltz continued searching for its breakthrough.
The equalizer finally arrived in the 42nd minute, courtesy of senior captain Samuel Snider. Chase Marshall provided the assist as Snider fired a dazzling rocket into the back of the net for his second goal of the season, bringing the Hawks level at 1-1 just over three minutes before halftime.
SUNY New Paltz nearly took the lead moments later when Quentin Smith put an attempt on frame in the 45th minute, but the Lions' defense came up with a team save to preserve the tie heading into the break.
The Hawks carried their offensive momentum into the second half, continuing to dictate possession and generate opportunities in the attacking third.
Snider looked for his second goal in the 54th minute, while Kieran Weber sent an attempt wide in the 61st. SUNY New Paltz earned consecutive corner kicks in the 58th minute but was unable to convert either opportunity.
Defensively, the Hawks limited TCNJ to just one shot over the final 45 minutes. Goalkeeper Austin Sheehan denied Tye Maser in the 66th minute, preserving the deadlock as SUNY New Paltz continued pushing for a go-ahead goal.
Bryan Lizama provided another opportunity in the 72nd minute with an acrobatic attempt, forcing Najdzinowicz into a save, before David Lamour sent an attempt wide in the 75th.
SUNY New Paltz continued searching for the deciding goal down the stretch, but neither side could break through as the contest ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Hawks finished with a 14-5 advantage in shots, holding TCNJ to just one second-half attempt while generating six of their own. SUNY New Paltz also held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Snider, Zindler, Joyce, Tait and Lamour each recorded two shots for the Hawks, while Snider accounted for the lone goal and Marshall earned the assist. Sheehan played all 90 minutes in net, registering three saves.
The draw moves SUNY New Paltz to 8-4-2 overall and 2-2-1 in NJAC play, while TCNJ remains unbeaten at 6-0-8 overall and 2-0-4 in conference action as both squads sit with ten points in NJAC play.
SUNY New Paltz returns to the road Wednesday, Oct. 21, traveling to William Paterson University for a 7 p.m. NJAC matchup.
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