Plattsburgh, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz struggled offensively to start on the road against Plattsburgh Saturday, which stunted a potential SUNYAC opening win with the hosting Cardinals defeating the visitors Hawks, 10-6.
 
SUNY New Paltz didn't find its first goal until 10 minutes to go in the third quarter with Finn Smith capitalizing on a man-up opportunity off a find from Killian Yombor, which trimmed the deficit 5-1. Smith capitalized again following a long offensive set two minutes later, as Blake Lyons kept the sequence alive, picking up a ground ball in front of net off an initial shot from Nick Darcangelo. Smith answered again, this time finishing on a pass from Blake Hayden to get his team within three.
 
After Plattsburgh answered off the faceoff, the hosts were hit with an unsportsmanlike penalty and the Hawks responded with a Jack McLaughlin man-up goal to trim the difference to three with seven minutes to go in the period. Following a defensive stop and good clear, SUNY New Paltz coach Kroy Arnold called a timeout to draw up a play, and the result was a Nick Darcangelo goal that got the Hawks within two at 6-4.
 
Plattsburgh ended the period with two goals, which ultimately helped keep SUNY New Paltz at-bay. Sean Cassidy was handed a one-minute slashing penalty with the Cardinals capitalizing. They then won the ensuing faceoff and scored another quick goal to re-up the four-goal cushion in the final minute before entering the fourth.  
Colin Cleary scored with four minutes left that cut the score to 10-6 for the Hawks, but Plattsburgh's defense anchored in from there and kept SUNY New Paltz without a shot attempt in the time remaining to hold onto the four-goal win.
 
Smith led SUNY New Paltz offensively with three points on two goals and an assist, while adding a team-leading five ground balls. Cleary followed with two goals with one ground ball. Brandon Ortiz had four ground balls, while defenseman Drew Hulede followed with three ground balls and one caused turnover.  
 
Plattsburgh held the advantage in shots (48-24), shots on goal (28-13), ground balls (40-29) and faceoffs (12-7), while going 21-for-27 on the clear with the Hawks successful on 22-for-30 attempts. The hosts also won the turnover battle with 14 versus 28 for SUNY New Paltz.
 
The Hawks return to SUNYAC play Friday, going on the road to face Canton at 4 p.m.


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