Box Score

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – The State University of New York at New Paltz women's soccer team appeared headed for its sixth overtime game of the season on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field, just 6:10 away from forcing SUNY Oneonta into an extra session. But the visiting Red Dragons got the game's only goal from sophomore forward Kayla Distin at the 83:50 mark, to register a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Hawks.

The game was entrenched in deadlock until Oneonta senior forward Karly DeSimone rifled a shot on New Paltz sophomore goalie Krysten Kane (Macedon, N.Y./Wayne Central) that Kane saved. The ball, however, bounced off Kane's chest and ricocheted 10-feet out into the right side of the field. A streaking Distin came in from the left sideline and booted home the game's only tally into an open left corner of the cage.

The heartbreaking defeat drops the Hawks to 2-11-3, 0-6-1 in SUNYAC play. Oneonta, which sits in second place in conference standings, improves to 7-3-3, 4-0-3. New Paltz returns to Alumni Field next Friday, October 25 for a 3:00 p.m. game against SUNY Fredonia. Oneonta next hosts Ithaca on Tuesday, October 22 at 3:00 p.m.

As the temperatures dropped in the second half, the game warmed up and the pace quickened. Oneonta took eight of its 14 shots in the second half; New Paltz had five of its seven. The Hawks had a near miss at breaking the stalemate in the game's 71st minute when junior Bryce Kristall (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hallow Hills West), saw her header hit the crossbar, a golden chance to score on Oneonta sophomore goalie Rori Stark, who made one save in the contest. The Hawks' other meaningful opportunity came off a powerful boot from junior midfielder Eleni Anselmi (Garnerville, N.Y./North Rockland) just three minutes into the contest.

Nine minutes into the second half, Oneonta pestered Kane, who made six saves, with three consecutive shots, but as she had done all game, the sophomore protected the New Paltz goal with aplomb.

The first half was limited to a battle of defenses, though each team did make runs toward goal. Hawks freshman defender Kaite Mulry (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) had several strong efforts in the opening stanza and Oneonta's DeSimone had a good look on goal with 1:44 to play, taking a hard shot from inside the circle that sailed just right of the goal.