NEW PALTZ, NY- The SUNY New Paltz men’s soccer team fell to the visiting Blue Knights of Geneseo, 2-1 on Alumni Field Saturday afternoon. The Blue Knights score with 11 minute remaining to claim the victory.
The Hawks had the first chance of the game in the ninth minute when Tommy Garafola’s sent a line drive free kick from the left corner into the box that found Dave Gardiner whose shot was kicked away by the Blue Knights keeper.
In the 14th minute, Geneseo had two back-to-back chances to score but were unable to find the back of the net. The first came when Hawks keeper Thomas Viscardi came out to play the ball and was taken out on the play. Jason Tartick gathered the ball and struck the shot but defender Jason Fancie blocked the shot from going in. The rebound came to Kurt Jameson whose shot was blocked by defender Anton Shipman and cleared out of the box.
Michael Santalesa in the 29th minute sent a through ball of the defensive to the right side of 18 yard box to Garafola. Garafola flicked the ball over his defender and found Jimmy Altadonna for the header that just went over the cross bar.
Joe Mort nearly gave the Blue Knights the lead when his shot from 35 yards out to the right corner was saved by the hand of Viscardi.
In the 42nd minute Ken DiDonna came in one-on-one with the keeper, but he sent his shot wide right ride as the game remained tied.
Geneseo netted the first goal of the game with one second remaining in the half after the referee stopped the clock because of a delay-of-game by the Hawks. On the resuming free kick, Joe Mort sent a line-drive from 45 yards out into the box and found the head of Andy Marzo for his first goal of the season.
Minutes into the second half, Geneseo threatened again when Yuta Shimizu played a ball into the middle of the box for Jeff Rahmlow whose shot the right corner was made by the diving Viscardi.
The Hawks got the equalizer in the 48th minute when Garafola free kick was tipped by the Blue Knights keeper and Anton Shipman gathered the rebound for his second goal of the season.
Carrying the momentum from the goal, the Hawks had a chance to take the lead in the 50th minute. Garafola caused a turnover and sent a through ball to the corner for Santalesa. Santalesa’s cross came into the box 10 yards out and Altadonna’s header attempt went just over the cross bar.
Colin Begy netted the eventual game-winning goal in the 79th minute when Tartick cross found Begy for the header.
Mike Madarasz recorded the win nit net, saving three shots on the afternoon. Geneseo improves to 6-3-1 overall and 3-1-0 in the SUNYAC.
Thomas Viscardi recorded the loss in net, stopping five shots in his first collegiate start. The Hawks fall to 4-5-1 overall and 0-4-0 in the SUNYAC. New Paltz returns to the field on Tuesday against Bard at 7 p.m. on the campus of Bard College.
