Hawks Secure 1-1 Tie Against No. 12 Red Dragons

By Monica D’Ippolito

CORTLAND — The State University of New York New Paltz left Cortland Saturday with a result, earning a 1-1 tie over the No. 12 nationally ranked Red Dragons to open up SUNYAC play.

The young Hawks (4-4-1 overall, 0-0-1 SUNYAC) weren’t intimidated by the task of competing against the defending conference champs, and even snatched the first lead of the game two minutes into the second half. Fittingly, it was freshman Brandon Dhanoolal who extended his goal-streak to five games that pushed SUNY New Paltz out in front.

After SUNY New Paltz earned a free kick just inside its offensive half, Dhanoolal stepped up and smartly saw Cortland’s keeper high off his line, standing a step above the six-yard box. With the keeper out of position, Dhanoolal took advantage and nailed a laser over his outstretched hand and into the net for the highlight goal.

The Hawks held onto the goal advantage for the next half hour. The Red Dragons continued pressing and had a great opportunity in the run of play with 13 minutes remaining, as they slotted a pass across the top of the six-yard box that would have left an essential 1-v-1 with Micheli, but SUNY New Paltz grad student center back Alberto Molina made a veteran heads up play, sliding to clear the ball away before Cortland could put an attempt on frame.

The Red Dragons eventually found the equalizer, however, which stemmed off a quick transition from their defensive end. A dangerous ball through allowed the hosts to carry the ball to the endline. Ryan Bochenski came back to help and as he went down to slide and get a deflection on the potentially dangerous cross back into the box, the ball ricocheted off his hand accidently, resulting in a penalty kick. Cortland took advantage of the opportunity and drilled the attempt top left corner to knot the score at ones in the 77th minute.

Cortland had a prime opportunity to earn its first lead of the game with just four minutes remaining, as it played another ball across the middle of the six-yard box, which found the feet of Matt Shultz open in front of goal. Micheli timed the play well, however, getting low and making himself big to get a deflection on the point-blank attempt to preserve the score with the rebound deflecting out of bounds, which ended the threat.

Both teams couldn’t break through again in the waning minutes and the result was a 1-1 stalemate. It was the first tie between the two teams since 2011 and was the first time the Hawks earned a result against Cortland on its home turf since 2019.

Both teams tallied 14 shots with the Red Dragons holding the slight advantage in shots on frame, 7-5 with Cortland also totaling more corners (6-4). Alex Wyant and Dhanoolal each had three shots to lead the team offensively.

Micheli, meanwhile, was the anchor defensively and had one of his best games of the season as he made six crucial saves to help retain the one point in the standings.