Blazers Notch First Win of the Season with 1-0 Victory over New Paltz

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Elms College Blazers defeated the New Paltz Hawks 1-0 on Sunday afternoon in the final day of the Vassar Invitational at Vassar College.
 
The Hawks (1-2) will look to bounce back in their home opener versus Hunter College on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m., while the Blazers (1-2-1) play at Springfield College on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m.
 
The match was scoreless until the 76th minute, when Elms Chris Dabkowski received a touch pass from Bobby Zaino (Avon, C.T) and netted the game-winner. The Hawks recorded four shots in the remainder of regulation, but were unable to find the back of the net for the equalizer.
 
For the afternoon, the Hawks outshot the Blazers, 11-4, with six shots on target. Senior defender Brian Spina(Delmar, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) led the attack with three shots.

The Blazers used 3 goalies, Christian Kostka (Oxford, C.T.), Ryan Harris (Brandon, MS), and Nick Pennant (Kingston, Jamaica) for a combined 6 saved in the winning effort.

Junior forward Jason Gonzalez (Woodside, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) and sophomore midfielder Caiden Williams(Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Spackenkill) each finished with two shots apiece.
 
Senior goalkeeper Steven Domino (Valatie, N.Y./Ichabod Crane) suffered the defeat, as he made three saves in his first action of the year. Following the conclusion of the tournament, junior defender Angelo DiMatteo (Merrick, N.Y./Sanford H. Calhoun) and senior midfielder Stephen Browne (Carle Place, N.Y./Carle Place) were named to the All-Tournament team.