NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team (2-0) received all it could handle from non-conference William Paterson University (1-1), but the Hawks ended up prevailing, 5-4, in overtime in their 2013 home opener on Wednesday at the Turf Field. Junior midfielder/defender Deirdre O'Neill (New City, N.Y./Clarkstown South) netted two goals for New Paltz in the victory, while Courtnaey Chelf and Brianne Cox each scored twice for William Paterson.

New Paltz struck first, with senior midfielder Alyssa Stock (Morris Plains, N.J./Whippany Park) scoring amongst traffic in the circle at 10:36. Cox responded for the Pioneers, however, directing a Chelf pass into the back of the goal at 15:55. O'Neill scored unassisted at 28:59, which provided the Hawks a 2-1 halftime lead.

After nearly 10 minutes of scoreless action in the second half, Chelf knocked home a goal off a rebound, and Cox gave the Pioneers their first lead of the game at 49:29. Less than a minute later, senior forward Danielle Conklin (Suffern, N.Y./Suffern) found the back of the cage, and two minutes after that, O'Neill dribbled to the center of the circle to bury an unassisted goal. Chelf received passes from Annalis Mitcho and Felecia Wetzel on a penalty corner in the 56th minute and rattled the back of the cage with a game-tying score. Neither team was able to score down the stretch, forcing overtime.

Both teams had their chances during overtime, but senior midfielder Lauren Link (Hauppauge, N.Y./Smithtown West) played the role of hero at 77:46, blasting a ball from the top of the circle that sophomore forward Dani Ackerman (Nesconset, N.Y./Smithtown East) poked in to end the contest.

Senior goalkeeper Antonija Pjetri (Suffern, N.Y./Suffern) earned the win in the cage, making eight stops, while Kellye Statz suffered the loss in spite of a nine-save effort. O'Neill posted a defensive save for the Hawks as well.

New Paltz held a 28-18 edge in shots, but William Paterson owned a 13-11 advantage in the penalty-corner department.

The Hawks continue their three-game home stand on Saturday, Sept. 7, as they take on No. 15 Skidmore College at 1 p.m. at the Turf Field.