Hawks Soccer Take Down NYU on the Road

By Monica D’Ippolito

BRONX – Going on the road, down its starting midfielder and captain against one of the best programs in the country in New York University, the State University of New York at New Paltz proved Saturday it can play with anyone.

The Hawks (3-1-1 overall) got out to a 2-0 lead against the Violets and held on to secure a 2-1 win to finish their best outing of the young season thus far.

“Today was a huge result and a great team effort against a very strong NYU team,” said SUNY New Paltz coach Kyle Clancy. “From the get-go, we played with great energy and organization and worked hard to take away their strengths. We were able to make them a bit uncomfortable in how they wanted to play and took advantage with some great moments in the box.”

Taking advantage of early chances, Tim Kane struck for the Hawks in the sixth minute to give his team the early 1-0 lead. Kane put away his chance with Joseph DiPreta and Alex Wyant earning the assist on the game’s first goal and SUNY New Paltz carried the one goal advantage into halftime.

Kane was the beneficiary again in the 48th minute, finishing on an assist by Michael Horner to cushion the lead to 2-0. The Hawks stayed organized to sustain NYU’s attack, but the Violets came back to trim the deficit in half with a score in the 79th minute. They earned one more shot in the final 10 minutes but nothing on frame with SUNY New Paltz closing out on the victory.

“We talked about winning the box and winning our 1-v-1 battles and the guys did that so well today,” Clancy said. “And with great delivery and great finishing, we were able to get a nice two-goal lead. From there, we just worked hard to prevent them from getting quality chances, and even with them pulling within one, we defended very well around our box and earned the win.”

NYU held the slight advantage in shots, 11-8, but the Hawks had more chances on target, 4-3, while also earning three corner kick opportunities to the Violets two.

Christian Micheli played the full 90 minutes in goal for SUNY New Paltz and totaled two saves with Kane logging 90 minutes of action to finish the day as the man of the match with his two goals scored.

SUNY New Paltz is back home for its next game, taking on Vassar College Wednesday at 4 p.m. for its home opener at South Turf Field.