NEW PALTZ, NY- The SUNY New Paltz men’s soccer team dominated the Potsdam Bears Friday evening 4-1 on a wet and slippery field.
Jimmy Altadonna had a chance to give the Hawks the lead in the 15th minute when his header was just wide of the post off a cross by Dave Gardiner.
Potsdam chance came in the 26th minute when Tim Ciampa found Jon Reeves for the one-timer, but Reeves shot went just wide of the post.
The Hawks netted the first goal in the 35th minute. Lucas Natel took the free kick and found Tommy Garafola who tipped it to Altadonna for the goal. It was Altadonna’s team leading seventh goal and Natel’s and Garafola’s third assist of the season.
With seven minutes remaining, the Bears Brandon Kelley took a shot from 35 yards out, but it was punched away over the cross bar by Thomas Viscardi to keep the 1-0 advantage.
Altadonna nearly gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead with three minute remaining when a through ball by Natel set-up Altadonna for the shot. His shot hit the outside of the post as the Bears dodged the Hawks attack. The Hawks would go into halftime with a 1-0 lead and held a 7-5 shot advantage.
In the second half, the Hawks would open up the scoring with three goals in a 20 minute span. The first came in the 46th minute when Altadonna flicked the ball to Gardiner in the corner who hit Mike Santalesa for the one-timer and his second goal of the season.
Six minutes later, Nick DiPaola’s cross from the right corner found Gardiner for his second goal of the season.
In the 66th minute, Frank Tloczkowski netted his first goal of the season when Brendan Ujvary found him 12 yards out.
Potsdam would break up the shutout when Zack LaDue sent a through ball to Christopher Riddell who beat the Hawks keeper left corner in the 74th minute.
Joseph Glackin recorded the loss in net, saving three shots and allowing four goals in 76:12 minutes played. Colin MacIver had one stop in 13:48 minutes played for the Bears. Potsdam falls to 3-8-1 overall and 1-4-0 in the SUNYAC.
Thomas Viscardi recorded the win in net, saving five shots. The Hawks pick up their first conference win and improve to 6-5-1 overall and 1-4-0 in the SUNYAC. New Paltz returns to the field tomorrow against Plattsburgh at 1 p.m. on Alumni Field.
