NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – Senior Jacob Perry matched his career high with five saves and classmate Justin Ely buried a penalty kick in the 51st minute to give head coach John Ciano his first win with the Garnet Chargers, a 1-0 victory over SUNY New Paltz on Tuesday evening at South Turf Field.
 
Union (1-1) was outshot by an 8-3 margin on the afternoon, but took advantage of its opportunities and played an excellent defensive match to earn the win.
 
New Paltz (2-1) gave Union its best offensive effort in the opening half, with Perry requiring all five of his saves to keep the home team off the scoreboard. The visitors weathered the opening storm, however, and went into halftime scoreless.
 
The momentum changed less than six minutes into the second half, when the Garnet Chargers drew a foul inside the box to earn their best chance of the game. Ely stepped up to the penalty spot and deposited his first collegiate goal to put Union ahead.
 
The Union defensive unit clamped down after the goal, limiting the Hawks to just one off-target shot attempt over the final 40 minutes to secure the win.
 
Union will return to action on Saturday with a 1 p.m. match against SUNY Morrisville at College Park Field.