Box Score Buffalo, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team battled against one of the best teams in the nation Saturday.
The Hawks (6-10 overall, 2-7 SUNYAC) limited the No. 14 Bengals (13-1-3 overall, 6-0-3 SUNYAC) offensively, but could not put away the equalizer, ultimately falling in their season finale, 1-0.
"The guys worked hard to keep the game close," said SUNY New Paltz coach
Kyle Clancy. "Buffalo State is a good team. They transition to defense very quickly and are tough to break down. Not easy creating chances but we had a few, just couldn't put them away."
The Hawks defense, backed by
John Guzzo (seven saves) in net, held strong despite Buffalo State's pressure. The Bengals out-shot SUNY New Paltz, 21-8 in the match, but managed just eight shots on frame.
Buffalo State put away the game's only goal in the 20
th minute after Luke Pavone got on the end of a free kick to tally his eighth of the season.
The Bengals held the advantage in corners as well, registering six in the game including five in the first half, but SUNY New Paltz did well to defend inside the box and maintained the one-goal game.
Andres Salcedo,
Manny Flory and
Ryan Martinez led the Hawks offensively with two shots each, while Kevin Doorely and
Adam Romanski each notched a shot apiece.
The win gives Buffalo State hopes of securing a No. 2 seed in the SUNYAC playoffs, while the Hawks end the year eighth in the conference standings.
"Overall, it's not how we expected our season to go but I was pleased to see our team battle this final weekend and improve in some areas we have struggled," Clancy said.
