HOBOKEN, NJ- The SUNY New Paltz men’s soccer team for the second consecutive day played a 2008 NCAA Tournament team in the Stevens Soccer Classic. The Hawks were able to walk away with a 3-0 victory over Hunter College on the final day of the tournament.
Sophomore Jimmy Altadonna (Massapequa) scored his second of the season to put the Hawks up 1-0 early in the game in the 24th minute. Freshman Michael Santalesa (New Hyde Park/St. Francis Prep) cross found Altadonna for the header.
In the 49th minute, sophomore Tommy Garafola (Richmond Hill/St. Francis Prep) gathered the corner and found junior David Gardiner (Malta/Ballston Spa) who beat the goalkeeper to his left for the 2-0 advantage. It was Gardiner’s second goal of the season.
The Hawks would put the game out of reach in the 67th minute when sophomore Joe Emberger (Poughkeepsie/Roy C. Ketcham) long lead pass into the right of the box found freshman Nicholas DiPaola (Huntington) for his first collegiate goal and the 3-0 lead.
Hunter’s Alexandre Ilic recorded the loss in net allowing three goals and saving seven shots. Hunter falls to 0-3 overall.
Junior Peter Carmel (Ronkonkoma/The Stony Brook School) recorded the win in net saving three shots for his first collegiate shut out. New Paltz improves to 2-0-1 overall and return to the field Saturday, September 12th against Old Westbury at 12 p.m. at Alumni Field on the campus of SUNY New Paltz.
