Box Score

NEWBURGH, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz women's lacrosse team scored the game's first goal just 18 seconds into the contest, and that quick strike plus two career-best scoring games, set the tone for a 16-9 season-opening victory over Mount Saint Mary College on Tuesday night at Kaplan Field.
 
Led by junior midfielder Lianne Valdivia (Kingston, NY/Kingston) and senior attack Talia Tesler (Rochester, NY/Brighton), who each scored six goals,Tesler's being a career-tying high, the Hawks broke free from an 8-5 second half lead with five straight goals to secure the victory.
 
New Paltz starts the season 1-0 for the fourth straight year, while the Knights drop to 0-2. The Hawks next travel to Hartwick for a 1 p.m. game on Saturday, March 15. The Knights next host Vassar College on Tuesday, March 18 at 5 p.m.
 
The contest was close until the final 13:29 of the first half, when the Hawks pulled away from a 4-3 lead with four straight goals, securing an 8-4 halftime advantage. Buoyed by a 15 shot first half and four goals from Valdivia and three from Tesler, New Paltz poured on the offense early in the second half. When the Knights drew within 8-5 just minutes into the second half, New Paltz scored five straight goals to put the game out-of-reach.
 
Valdivia's quick strike, just 18 seconds into competition, was a precursor of further offense to come. It was a positive start for a New Paltz team that had been confined to indoor-only practices due to harsh winter conditions. MSMC freshman attack Katie Gattoni, who had three first half tallies, helped keep the hosts close in the early stages. Her goal at the 13:29 mark got the Knights within 4-3 before New Paltz scored four straight goals to close out the first half leading 8-4. 
 
The Knights made one concerted stab at New Paltz in the second half when sophomore midfielder Katie McGinnis scored at the 27:20 mark to pull MSMC within 8-5. The Hawks answered quickly and decisively, as Valdivia, junior defender Fatima Ismail (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook), Tesler and junior attack Kelsey Healy (Central Islip, NY/ Bay Shore) spearheaded four consecutive goals for a 12-5 New Paltz lead midway through the second half. Another Tesler goal made the score 13-5 before MSMC would score again. The teams then proceeded to essentially trade goals, with the Knights drawing within 14-8 on Gattoni's team-best fifth goal of the game with 5:22 to play.
 
Valdivia and Tesler each notched six goals for the Hawks.
 
Junior midfielder Julia Johnson (Bayport, NY/ Bayport-Blue Point) earned six ground balls. Junior goalie Jackie Ulanoff (Northport, NY/ Northport) earned the victory with a nine-save effort. MSMC had 24 shots in the contest.
 
MSMC sophomore goalie Deirdre Ray made 15 saves in facing 38 shots.