KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Sept. 7, 2022) – The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy men's soccer team lost at home to visiting SUNY New Paltz, 1-0, on Wednesday evening at Bartoszek Field. In defeat, the Mariners fall to 1-1-1, while the Hawks improve to 2-0-1 with the victory.
 
Game File

• Box Score 

The lone tally of the game came early in the second half, in the 52nd minute, when New Paltz junior Papis Konate cleaned up a rebound off a shot by freshman Alejandro Londono that was initially saved by USMMA senior keeper Chase Miller (Boise, Idaho). The ball bounced to the left of Miller after a miscommunication on a clear attempted and found Konate all alone in front with a wide-open goal to shoot at.
 
The Hawks did a great job applying most of the pressure on the night, as they outshot Merchant Marine by a total of 13-7, including a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal. For the second-straight game, Miller finished the night with six saves.
 
The game could've easily been 2-0 or 3-0 if not for some great defense by the Mariners, including a big clear out off a set piece by freshman defender Michael Hofstetter (Deer Park, N.Y.) in the first half, and then a remarkable diving save by Miller in the 70th minute on a point-blank opportunity.
 
The Mariners' two shots on goal came off the head off sophomore Wesley Cooke (Mobile, Ala.) at the top of the box in the 23rd minute, after a throw-in by classmate Derek Vanasse (Camarillo, Calif.), and then one a long shot from outside the 18-yard box by Vanasse in the 85th minute. Both were turned aside by New Paltz sophomore keeper Christian Micheli.
 
In addition to Vanasse's chance, USMMA did have a few opportunities to find the equalizer late in the game off some set pieces on corner kicks and deep throw-ins, but they either resulted in shots or headers traveling high or wide, and/or clear outs by the New Paltz defense. Micheli finished the blank sheet for the Hawks with those two saves.
 
Up next, the Mariners will travel up to New London, Conn., this Friday, Sept. 9, to take on arch-rival Coast Guard. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Bears' Nitchman Field. Live stats and a live video feed of the contest will be available with links available on the USMMA Men's Soccer Schedule Page.
 
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