New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz opened its 2026 season on the road against SUNY Maritime Saturday and despite staying tight throughout the contest alongside the Privateers, they never got within striking distance and ultimately fell, 15-7.
 
The Hawks (0-1 overall) were without one of their top offensive weapons for most of the game in left-handed attackman Killian Yombor due to injury but still produced three first quarter goals to stay within one entering the following 15 minutes.
 
Michael Plante helped tie the game at a goal apiece, finishing on an assist from Colin Cleary midway through the first. Maritime answered with consecutive goals following turnovers by SUNY New Paltz in its offensive half, but Plante put away his second, taking advantage of a penalty play following a flag by the Privateers to get his team within one. 
 
Maritime won the following faceoff, but freshman goalie Jacob Kenny, who got his first career start, made two back-to-back saves with the Hawks clearing the other way. Nick Darcangelo was the benefactor of the possession, scoring his first of the year, unassisted. The Privateers called a timeout following the goal and immediately won the ensuing faceoff and scored in the final minute to take a 4-3 lead into the second quarter.  
The hosts began creating a slight cushion, as they took a 7-4 lead into the break. SUNY New Paltz got within two to begin the half on a goal by Finn Smith, but Maritime countered with a three-unanswered-goal run. Jack McLaughlin helped cut into the deficit to end the third thanks to a caused turnover by Aidan Harrington that allowed SUNY New Paltz an extra offensive possession. Cleary got the first look at cage, which went wide with McLaughlin finding the back of the netting on the second try to cut the score, 11-7 entering the fourth.
 
SUNY New Paltz was held scoreless in the fourth on two total shots on goal, which allowed the Privateers to pull away. Overall, Maritime held the advantage in shots (50-29), shots on goal (31-13), ground balls (35-20), faceoffs (17-9) and won the turnover battle (14-25).

McLaughlin led the team offensively with two goals on seven shots with two ground balls. Plante followed with two goals on three shots with Darcangelo, Cleary and Smith all adding goals. Brandon Ortiz, Ryan O'Hara and Harrington each had a team-leading three ground balls with O'Hara ending with 17-for-25 on faceoffs. Defensively, poles Owen Craker and Drew Hulede led the team with two caused turnovers apiece. Kenny finished with 11 saves in 30 minutes in goal, while Zach Novak played the last half and totaled five stops.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in action Wednesday, going on the road to face Farmingdale State for a 4 p.m. matchup.

 

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