Box Score

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – The State University of New York at New Paltz women's soccer team played with a purpose and never wavered throughout 90 minutes to register a much-needed first State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) victory of the season, 2-0, over SUNY Fredonia at a sun-drenched, but breezy, Alumni Field on Friday afternoon.

The Hawks controlled play throughout, particularly in the first half, with a decided 11-3 advantage in shots (5-1 on goal) and a 4-1 margin in corner kicks. Nothing differed in the second half as the stellar play continued. The Hawks kept the offensive pressure on Fredonia throughout and were stingy defensively, finishing the game with a 22-6 margin in shots.

It was fitting that in victory, two juniors, forward Sarah Painter (Blue Point, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point) and midfielder Rebecca Rothman (Oceanside, N.Y./Oceanside), earned their first goals of the season, Painter's coming in the 33rd minute and Rothman's in the 65th.

The victory improves the Hawks to 3-11-3, 1-6-1 SUNYAC. The Blue Devils drop to 4-10-2, 2-5-1. New Paltz will play its final game of the season on Saturday, hosting Buffalo State at Alumni Field at 1 p.m. Fredonia travels to SUNY Oneonta for a 1 p.m. Saturday game.

From the outset, the Hawks were the aggressor, keeping the ball deep in Fredonia territory. New Paltz had two strong looks on goal off consecutive corner kicks in the 15th minute, so it was just a matter of time until the Hawks would score. Painter's goal at 33:13 was deftly arranged by freshman defender Kaite Mulry (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville), who played the ball from the right side across to the middle where Painter connected from the top of the box and past Fredonia freshman goalie Hannah McGlinchey.

The all-important second goal, a free-kick score by Rothman, came at 65:19. It was a booming shot, dead center, and over McGlinchey's head. She made seven saves in the contest.

The Hawks threatened to put additional points on the board late in the game. With 4:48 to play, Painter's boot on goal following a strong run along the far sideline cruised just left of the net. A minute later, Mulry had a beautiful header on goal that sailed just inches over the crossbar.

With only six shots, Fredonia had very few opportunities to score. New Paltz sophomore goalie Krysten Kane (Macedon, N.Y./Wayne Central) made two saves in the game. Fredonia had its only meaningful opportunity in the 49th minute off a free kick, but freshman midfielder Kristie Kleine had her shot blocked.