Box Score

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team (6-7, 2-3 SUNYAC) fell to the No. 8 Cortland Red Dragons (11-1, 4-1 SUNYAC), 2-1, on Friday evening at the Turf Field in a conference matchup.

Cortland struck first in the 23rd minute when Danielle Groneman tipped in a ball that came from Brenda Semit. The goal came off of a Cortland corner, which ignited a battle in front of the cage when the ball was deflected off a Hawk defender into the net.

At the break, Cortland held a 5-3 edge in shots and a 5-4 margin in penalty corners.

Four minutes into the second half, Cortland struck again on a goal by Sara Woodward. Cortland's Katie Barbagallo took a penalty corner and found Semit at the top of the circle who set up the score.

However, the blue and orange stayed aggressive against No. 8 Cortland. In the 46th minute, senior forward Sarah Schloss (Brant Lake, N.Y.) used some nifty stick handling to create a fast break. Schloss drove through the circle and ripped a shot, which was saved by the Red Dragon goalkeeper.

Minutes later, Schloss got the Hawks on the board with her seventh goal on the season. Freshman midfielder Lauren Link (Hauppauge, N.Y.) recorded the assist on the goal.

Yet, the Red Dragons hung on for the remainder of regulation, preventing the Hawks from pulling off an upset.

On the contest, Cortland held the upper hand in shots, 12-6, and took 10 penalty corners to New Paltz's seven.

Freshman goalkeeper Antonija Pjetri (Suffern, N.Y.) allowed two goals, while making two saves in the contest. Cortland's Ashley Hughes allowed one goal, and turned away one shot.

New Paltz returns to action tomorrow when it hosts SUNY Oswego. Game time is set for 1 p.m.