WAYNE, NJ – The State University of New York New Paltz men's soccer team battled through a tightly contested New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) road matchup Wednesday evening, but conceded a late goal in the 85th minute to fall 1-0 to William Paterson University at Pioneer Soccer Park.
The Hawks (8-5-2 overall, 2-3-1 NJAC) remained within striking distance throughout the contest behind an impressive performance from first-year goalkeeper Austin Sheehan, who finished with six saves, including a crucial penalty kick stop in the second half. Despite several promising offensive opportunities, including a first-half attempt from senior Riley Tait that struck the woodwork, SUNY New Paltz could not find the breakthrough as the Pioneers (4-9-2, 2-5 NJAC) secured the narrow conference victory.
SUNY New Paltz opened the contest aggressively, generating a scoring opportunity less than a minute after kickoff. Senior Kieran Weber registered the first shot of the evening just 52 seconds into the match, sending his attempt over the crossbar.
The Hawks continued testing the William Paterson defense in the early minutes, with junior Ryan Zindler placing an attempt toward the bottom-right corner at 3:11, forcing goalkeeper Riccardo Prati into his first save of the evening.
William Paterson began finding opportunities of its own as the opening half progressed, but Sheehan remained sharp between the posts. The first-year goalkeeper made his opening save in the 14th minute, denying Jasper Robijn's attempt toward the upper portion of the goal to preserve the scoreless tie.
SUNY New Paltz continued searching for an opening, with first-year Dante Gulla sending an attempt high in the 18th minute. Both sides traded possession and opportunities through the middle portion of the half, with neither able to establish a decisive advantage.
The Hawks came inches away from taking the lead in the 33rd minute. Tait found an opening in the attacking third and fired an attempt that struck the left woodwork, narrowly missing what would have been the opening goal of the contest.
William Paterson answered with additional pressure in the closing minutes of the half, but Sheehan came through with another important stop at 39:50, denying Adrian Rojek's attempt toward the bottom center of the net.
SUNY New Paltz generated another chance in the 43rd minute as junior Cam Mingle placed a shot on target, forcing Prati to make his second save of the half. Sheehan followed with another stop in the final seconds before halftime, turning away Jonathan Antonio at 44:55 to send both sides into the break scoreless.
The Hawks finished the opening 45 minutes with five shots, including two on target, while Sheehan recorded three saves to keep the Pioneers off the board.
Both teams returned to the pitch looking for the first breakthrough, with SUNY New Paltz continuing to battle through a physical second half.
William Paterson registered the first shot on target after the break in the 58th minute, but Sheehan was positioned to deny Davide Zamuner's attempt toward the bottom center of the net.
The Hawks looked to respond offensively, with junior Bryan Lizama registering an attempt in the 63rd minute that traveled wide of the right post.
The biggest moment of the contest arrived in the 69th minute after William Paterson was awarded a penalty kick following a foul inside the box.
With the match still scoreless, Sheehan stepped up to deny Matty Escobar from the penalty spot at 68:07, keeping SUNY New Paltz level in a pivotal moment. The Pioneers immediately followed with another shot on target from Gabriel McGee, but Sheehan came through with another save to turn away the second opportunity and preserve the deadlock.
The consecutive stops highlighted an impressive evening for the first-year goalkeeper, who continued keeping the Hawks in contention as the match entered its final 20 minutes.
SUNY New Paltz looked to capitalize on the defensive stand, continuing to battle for possession and opportunities in the attacking third. The Hawks earned a corner in the 72nd minute but were unable to convert the set-piece opportunity.
With time winding down, SUNY New Paltz nearly found the decisive tally in the 84th minute. Zindler registered an attempt toward the bottom center of the net at 83:29, forcing Prati into another save with fewer than seven minutes remaining.
However, William Paterson broke through just 33 seconds later.
At the 84:02 mark, Davide Zamuner connected with Federico Rogati, who finished from the left side for his first goal of the season, giving the Pioneers a 1-0 advantage with just under six minutes remaining.
The Hawks attempted to find a late equalizer, but William Paterson held firm defensively through the final minutes to secure the one-goal victory.
Sheehan finished with six saves across the full 90 minutes, including his second-half penalty kick denial. Senior captain Samuel Snider, along with Nico Peralta and Leo Steiner, played all 90 minutes for the Hawks, helping anchor the defensive unit throughout the closely contested matchup.
Zindler led SUNY New Paltz offensively with two shots, both on target, while Weber, Tait, Gulla, Mingle and Lizama each registered an attempt.
William Paterson held a 12-7 advantage in total shots, including a 7-3 edge in shots on goal, while both teams finished with two corner kicks apiece.
SUNY New Paltz returns to NJAC action Saturday, Oct. 24, when it hosts Stockton University.
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