UNION – Kean University twice battled back from a deficit Wednesday night, but a free kick in the final minute proved decisive as New Paltz escaped with a 3-2 victory over the Cougars in NJAC action.
The match turned chaotic almost immediately, with New Paltz reduced to 10 players before three minutes had elapsed. Oliver Ferris was shown a red card after a foul denied Salem Ellisy a scoring opportunity, leaving the Hawks to play a man down for practically the entire match.
Kean took advantage of the ensuing free kick. Andy Mayorga stepped up and bent his attempt over the wall and into the net, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead just moments after the red card.
New Paltz responded despite being down a player, finding the equalizer in the 18th minute when a cross into the box was finished inside the near post.
The Hawks then had an opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot, but Kean goalkeeper Juan Orozco made the save to keep the match level.
Kean’s defense continued to hold New Paltz off the scoreboard until the closing seconds of the first half. With just four seconds remaining before halftime, Bryan Lizama finished a loose ball with a header to give the Hawks a 2-1 advantage heading into the break.
The Cougars answered quickly after halftime.
Dariel Mejia sent a ball into the box, finding Mayorga, who connected with a diving header in the 48th minute. The finish gave Mayorga his second goal of the night and brought Kean level at 2-2.
With the match even, Kean looked to make its numerical advantage count as the second half progressed. The Cougars created opportunities but could not find a third goal, while New Paltz continued to threaten on the other end despite playing with 10 players.
The score remained tied into the final minute before a foul by Kean gave New Paltz another free kick opportunity.
Dhanoolal stepped up and delivered the decisive moment. His shot caromed off the left post and traveled across the goal before finding the opposite side of the net, putting New Paltz ahead 3-2 with 51 seconds remaining.
Kean pushed forward in search of another equalizer but could not find one before the final whistle.
New Paltz finished with a 16-12 edge in shots, while Kean put five attempts on target. Orozco finished with nine saves, including the first-half penalty stop, and Austin Sheehan made three saves for the Hawks.
Mayorga’s two goals marked the offensive highlight for Kean, which will return to action Saturday afternoon against Rutgers-Camden, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.
