SUNY New Paltz Athletics

New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz lost in overtime, 11-10 against visiting Morrisville Saturday on North Turf Field in their final game of the 2026 season.
 
The Hawks celebrated their three graduating seniors prior to the game in Colin Cleary, Owen Craker and Brandon Oritz. All three made plays to aid in the tight contest with Cleary leading all players with five goals, while Oritz and Craker locked down defensively as Ortiz finished with a team-high three ground balls with one caused turnover, while Craker added a ground ball and caused turnover.
 
Morrisville took the initial lead, but SUNY New Paltz answered with its first goal of the game with about 10 minutes to go in the first quarter. The play stemmed off great defense by long stick midfielder Christian O'Connor who stuck tight to his man as he tried to drive. The pressure forced a turnover and eventually the Hawks got the ball down field with Blake Hayden capitalizing on a pass in transition from Nick Darcangelo.
 
After the Mustangs re-upped their lead, another good defensive sequence four minutes later allowed SUNY New Paltz to find another in the back of the net. SUNY New Paltz defenseman Drew Hulede forced a turnover on the defensive end, standing up his man before helping clear which led to a penalty on Morrisville as Ortiz was held trying to pick up the loose ball. Finn Smith was the beneficiary on the team's first man-up opportunity, tying the score at 2-2.
 
Jack McLaughlin narrowly gave the Hawks their first lead of the game as his diving attempt in front of the net was called off, deeming a crease violation. Morrisville was the one who broke up the stalemate, as SUNY New Paltz goalie Jacob Kenny over sailed a pass on the clear toward defensive midfielder Sam Wilbert. The Mustangs' Brian Kelly hustled to grab the loose ball and tossed it forward to an open Noah Taylor for the quick goal. However, SUNY New Paltz answered immediately following a faceoff win on a violation, as Blake Lyons drilled his 10th goal of the year tie the game at threes.  

 
 
Cleary gave his team their first lead of the game with 11 minutes to go in the second quarter following a save from Kenny with Smith earning the assist on the play. Cleary re-upped the lead two plays later, answering a goal from the Mustangs following a faceoff win by Brendon Lloyd with O'Connor coming in from the wing to pick up possession. Cleary found the ball in his stick once again and buries the attempt to put his team back ahead.
SUNY New Paltz went on a mini run within the next few minutes of the second quarter and took its largest lead at 7-4. Cleary scored again, getting his bounce-shot to go before Brendon Lloyd won at the faceoff X leading to a highlight goal by Nick Darcagenlo who slipped his man before firing before pushing the advantage to three.
 
Morrisville, however, had the last say of the half and countered with three straight goals to go into the break even at 7-7.
 
Each team scored in the third to keep the game even going into the fourth with Cleary scoring again to give SUNY New Paltz a 9-8 lead with less than 10 minutes left. Morrisville came through with a goal following a turnover on the offensive end and immediately won possession off the ensuing faceoff. Jason Tedeschi dodged toward cage and the Hawks were slow to slide and he took advantage, putting away the go-ahead goal with just more than three minutes left.

The Mustangs were caught offsides resulting in a man-up opportunity for SUNY New Paltz. The hosts moved the ball quickly before threading a pass to Hayden in the middle who got his hands free enough to bounce a shot that got just underneath to crossbar for the game-tying goal.
 
Morrisville had a great opportunity to take the lead in the final two minutes, as Jack McLaughlin was caught offsides while hustling to win the ball back on the ride. He tried to get back over but the officials still threw the flag resulting in the power play for the Mustangs. SUNY New Paltz's defense picked up McLaughlin and anchored in forcing the visitors to work the ball around and take a far shot that was easily corralled by Kenny.
 
Morrisville had a look in the final minute pushing the other way off a Hawks turnover, but Yasin Tabatabaee got his stick on the shot for the successful back check for the turnover, which allowed the Hawks one final possession. Hulede cleared for his team with coach Kroy Arnold calling a timeout with six seconds left in regulation. With six seconds left, Cleary was nearly the hero ripping a shot from the top spot, but Mustangs' Blake Dunton (14 saves) made the stop to force overtime.
 
The two teams narrowly played out the full four-minute sudden death overtime, but Hulede was flagged on a tough call, as he worked through a pick. Morrisville took advantage on the man-up and scored off a rip from Noah Taylor for the game-winner.
 
Smith followed Cleary offensively with four points, totaling one goal and four assists with Darcangelo adding four points with one goal and four assists. Sean Cassidy and Luke Walters each had three ground balls to follow Oritz with Cassidy totaling two caused turnovers. Kenny played the full 63-plus minutes in goal and registered 11 stops.
 
SUNY New Paltz finishes its 2026 campaign at 3-12 overall and 1-6 in the SUNYAC.


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