Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – It took two halves, two overtime periods and a shootout, but the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team ended up prevailing, 2-1, over the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in a non-conference game on Wednesday afternoon at Harkness Field.
 
During the shootout, junior forward/midfielder Dani Ackerman (Nesconset, N.Y./Smithtown East) went first for New Paltz and scored, while junior back Jessica Caruana (Holbrook, NY/Sachem East) also converted her attempt. The Engineers were unable to score on four attempts, giving the Hawks the victory.
 
Both goals were scored in the first half, and the rest of the game featured outstanding goalkeeping performances. Junior goalkeeper Alayna Wageman (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North) turned aside 11 shots in the win for the Hawks, while senior goalkeeper Hannah Clough made 25 saves in the loss for the Engineers.
 
New Paltz rises to 11-5 overall and next hosts Rowan University in its penultimate game of the regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 3:30 p.m. RPI falls to 4-10 and next visits Utica College on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m.
 
RPI shocked New Paltz early on by finding the back of the cage in the third minute, as junior attacker Hana Murphy fed senior attacker Molly Zuk with a pass in from the right. New Paltz was able to net the equalizer right before the half, though, with Ackerman knocking home a pass from senior midfielder Deirdre O'Neill (New City, N.Y./Clarkstown South) on a penalty-corner opportunity in the 31st minute.
 
While both teams played evenly through the remainder of regulation, New Paltz outshot RPI, 18-2, in the two overtime periods. In total, the Hawks finished with a 36-21 edge in shots and a 13-7 cushion in penalty corners.
 
Ackerman unleashed 10 shots—all of which were on goal—during the contest, while sophomore forward Kayla McKeveny (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem East) uncorked seven shots.