SUNY New Paltz Hawks Roll to 4-0 Win Over Lehman

By Monica D’Ippolito

NEW PALTZ – The State University of New York New Paltz kept on rolling Saturday, as it played host to the Lehman Lightning on South Turf Field.

The Hawks dominated throughout the 90 minutes of action and put up four goals in a 4-0 shutout to clinch their third-straight win and get back to .500 on the season at 4-4 overall.

“In the beginning of the season it was very rough,” said SUNY New Paltz freshman forward Brandon Dhanoolal. “We had some games that we dropped that we shouldn’t have dropped, and especially going into Cortland next Saturday it’s nice to get into a little flow.”

Dhanoolal highlighted a standout freshmen class who were the catalyst in Saturday’s victory. Dhanoolal continued his four-game goal streak after scoring in the 66th minute to push the Hawks lead to 3-0.

“It’s really special to me because in the beginning of the season I started out a little rough,” he said. “To get into a little flow and keep scoring when they matter the most it really is special.”

Dhanoolal was joined by fellow freshmen Bryan Lizama and Ryan Zindler who also found the back of the net with freshman Cam Mingle registering an assist in the game.

Lizama was the first to break through for SUNY New Paltz, scoring the game’s opening goal in the 38th minute. The play started on a switch through the midfield within the Hawks offensive half. Samuel Snider played a ball down the sideline to Zindler who ran onto the pass and sent a left-footed cross into traffic toward the near post. Lehman tried to clear but the loose ball fell right to the feet of Lizama who buried his attempt far post for his third goal of the season.

The score ignited the Hawks offense as they fired four shots in the last seven minutes of the half with them registering nine total in the opening 45 minutes.

Momentum carried over into the second half of play, as sophomore Kieran Weber helped double the advantage 10 minutes into the period. Dhanoolal sent a beautiful service in off a corner that found the head of Weber in the middle of the six-yard box. Weber dove and connected for the score, securing his first collegiate goal.

SUNY New Paltz continued putting pressure on the Lightning’s backline. Brian Boylan helped the Hawks earn a free kick just outside the box, as he was taken down as he tried to evade a defender. Dhanoolal stepped up to take the attempt and the Tarrytown, NY native added another goal to his career highlight reel, as he curved a left footed shot around the five-man wall that knocked inside the near post and in for his fourth of the year.

“That’s my spot, I practice that every day,” Dhanoolal said. “I was really excited to get that opportunity to take that chance.”

Zindler capped the scoring for SUNY New Paltz in the 79th minute. Mingle was the beneficiary, as he sent a good-looking switch toward the left flank over the top of the Lehman defense. Zindler used his speed to win the ball before beating a defender to create a 1-v-1 with him and the keeper. Zindler then cooly slotted his shot over the goalkeeper’s hand into the far corner for the score, registering his first goal of his career.

The Hawks hope to take the momentum of their three-game winning streak into SUNYAC play which begins Saturday on the road against SUNY Cortland. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

“I think this team is very good and we can compete for the SUNYAC’s,” Dhanoolal added. “I think as long as we keep rolling and keep playing, I think no team can stop us.”