Box Score

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Down 12-6 with 12:49 to play in the game, the State University of New York at New Paltz women's lacrosse team mounted a tenacious comeback to get within three goals on two occasions, but couldn't overcome late scoring by Buffalo State, falling to the Bengals, 17-13, in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) opener for both teams at Coyer Field.
 
The Hawks, who were held to just two goals for the first 16 minutes of the second half, stormed back into the game by scoring four of the game's next five goals, starting at the 12:15 mark, to draw within 13-10 with 6:38 to play. Back-to-back goals from junior midfielder Carissa Citro (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) and one by junior attack Kelsey Healy (Central Islip, NY/Bay Shore), helped swing the game's momentum, but Buffalo State scored consecutive goals in a 43 second span to surge ahead 15-10 with 4:54 to play. The Bengals were able to nurse their lead despite mounting New Paltz offensive pressure.
 
The loss drops the Hawks to 3-2, 0-1, while Buffalo improves to 6-2, 1-0. New Paltz will play its home opener against SUNY Potsdam on April 1 at 3 p.m. Buffalo State travels to The College at Brockport for a 4 p.m. game on April 1.
 
Healy, junior midfielder Lianne Valdivia (Kingston, NY/Kingston) and senior attack Talia Tesler (Rochester, NY/Brighton) had three goals each. Citro earned four assets. Sophomore attack Alexa Vitale (New Windsor, NY/Cornwall Central) had two late-game goals – which tied a career high – to keep New Paltz in the mix. Buffalo State got a five-goal, three-assist performance from junior midfielder Meghan Farrell.
 
The last 90 seconds of the first half and opening 15:48 of the second half enabled Buffalo State to create the game's separation. After falling behind 4-3 following a Valdivia goal, the Bengals scored the final two goals of the first half for a 5-4 lead at intermission. Buffalo State scored five of the first six goals of the second half for a 10-5 lead with 14:12 remaining. Six different Buffalo State players figured into that scoring run, which was halted by a Tesler goal with 12:15 to play.
 
In the final 1:04 of the contest, Vitale scored back-to-back goals to bring New Paltz within 16-13 with 37 seconds to play.
 
New Paltz junior goalie Jackie Ulanoff (Northport, NY/Northport) made six saves. Senior defender Maggie Rose Melito (Babylon, NY/Babylon) tied a career-high with four ground balls. Buffalo State junior goalie Colleen George had two saves.