NEW PALTZ, NY – The State University of New York New Paltz men's soccer team closed out its inaugural New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) regular season in emphatic fashion Wednesday afternoon, overcoming an early deficit to defeat visiting Ramapo College, 4-1, on North Turf.
The Hawks (10-5-2, 5-3-1 NJAC) received goals from four different players, with Brandon Dhanoolal, Ryan Zindler, Kieran Weber and Bryan Lizama all finding the back of the net. SUNY New Paltz scored three times in a span of less than 12 minutes during the opening half to take control of the contest and secure its 10th victory of the season.
SUNY New Paltz established an early attacking presence, generating opportunities through David Lamour, Dhanoolal and Zindler in the opening 13 minutes. Zindler registered the Hawks' first shot on goal in the 19th minute, but Ramapo goalkeeper Zachary Natt made the stop to keep the contest scoreless.
Despite the hosts' early pressure, the Roadrunners struck first in the 22nd minute. Dino Radoncic connected with Lucas Mielnikiewicz, who finished the opportunity to give Ramapo a 1-0 advantage.
Less than 90 seconds later, SUNY New Paltz earned a penalty kick following a foul by Natt. Dhanoolal stepped to the spot and converted in the 24th minute, recording his seventh goal of the season and bringing the Hawks level at one.
With momentum firmly on their side, SUNY New Paltz continued attacking and took its first lead in the 31st minute. Freshman Cody Hamilton connected with Zindler, who finished the opportunity for his team-leading 10th goal of the season, putting the Hawks ahead 2-1.
The hosts added another less than five minutes later as Lamour and Zindler combined to set up Weber in the 36th minute, with the senior finding the back of the net for his eighth goal of the campaign and extending SUNY New Paltz's advantage to 3-1.
The Hawks continued generating opportunities in the closing stages of the half, with Lizama and Cam Mingle each testing Natt before the intermission. SUNY New Paltz entered the break holding a 9-3 advantage in shots and a two-goal cushion.
The hosts maintained their offensive pressure to open the second half, with Owen Joyce forcing Natt into a save in the 49th minute. Zindler and Dhanoolal followed with opportunities in the 62nd and 63rd minutes, respectively, as the Hawks searched for additional insurance.
Ramapo looked to cut into the deficit in the 66th minute, but freshman goalkeeper Austin Sheehan denied Gianfranco Ponce to preserve the two-goal advantage. Zindler responded with another shot on target just over a minute later, forcing Natt into another save.
SUNY New Paltz ultimately put the contest out of reach in the 79th minute when Hamilton delivered his second assist of the afternoon, finding Lizama for his third goal of the season to push the Hawks' lead to 4-1.
The Hawks finished with an 18-5 advantage in shots, including a 10-5 edge in shots on goal, while earning five corner kicks to Ramapo's one.
Zindler led SUNY New Paltz with five shots, three on target, and finished with three points on a goal and an assist. Hamilton contributed two assists off the bench, while Lamour added a helper on Weber's first-half goal. Sheehan played the full 90 minutes in goal, recording four saves.
SUNY New Paltz now turns its attention to the NJAC Tournament, making its first postseason appearance as a member of the conference. The Hawks will take on Rutgers-Newark in the NJAC quarterfinals on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 1 p.m.
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