Carmel Earns First Collegiate Victory; Hawks Open Season with Victory

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NEW PALTZ, NY- The SUNY New Paltz men’s soccer team picked up where they left off from last year, with a victory.  The Hawks finished 3-1-2 over the last six games of the 2008 season and start the 2009 campaign off with a 2-1 victory over visiting Rutgers-Newark, Tuesday evening on Alumni Field.  Peter Carmel (Lake Ronkonkoma/Stony Brook) earned his first collegiate victory.

The Hawks nearly netted their first goal seven minutes in the game when sophomore Tommy Willoughby (Levittown/Island Trees) cross attempt almost found the head of sophomore Jimmy Altadonna (Massapequa), but was caught by the Scarlet Knights goalkeeper. 

In the 11th minute, Rutgers-Newark Estiven Bentitez found Robert Campos, whose shot beat Hawks goalkeeper Carmel but was kicked away by junior Jason Fancie (Ossining) to maintain the 0-0 tie.

The Scarlet Knights netted the first goal of the game at 31:54 when Innocent Bulle shot was save by Carmel and the rebound shot from Robert Campos found the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.

Late in the first half with four minutes remaining, Nicholas DiPaola (Huntington) cross found Lucas Natel (Mineola), whose header was just wide of the net.

In the 57th minute, DiPaola’s cross once again almost generated a goal for the Hawks as Altadonna’s header was punched away for a corner kick.  On the assuming corner kick, Michael Santalesa (New Hyde Park/St. Francis Prep) found Anton Shipman (Howard Beach/Molloy) for the header and the game-tying goal.

DiPaola’s cross in the 63rd minute landed at the feet of Altadonna, whose shot deflected off the post.  17 minutes later, Altadonna found the back of the net after he dribbled around the Scarlet Knight defender and beat the goalie, for the 2-1 lead.

Rutgers-Newark goalkeeper Matt Zielyk recorded the loss in net saving two shots.  The Scarlet Knights are 0-1-0 on the season.

Carmel recorded the win in net saving three shots.  The Hawks start the season off at 1-0-0 and return to the field Saturday, September 5th in the Stevens Tournament against Rhode Island College at 4:30 p.m.