Box Score

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – A 12-save performance by junior goalkeeper Alayna Wageman (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North) helped keep the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team in the game, but the Hawks were unable to overcome a second-half goal in a 1-0 non-conference loss to No. 8 Montclair State University on Wednesday evening at Sprague Field.

Wageman, who recently earned State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week honors for the period ending Sept. 7, and the entire New Paltz back line staved off numerous scoring chances by one of NCAA Division III's top teams, but a goal by Montclair State's freshman forward Kaitlyn Struss in the 51st minute ultimately proved to be the difference. New Paltz prevented the lead from growing any larger down the stretch, but the Hawks were unable to generate a scoring opportunity to force overtime.

New Paltz suffered its first blemish of the season with the loss, falling to 3-1 overall. The Hawks next visit No. 4 Skidmore College on Saturday, Sept. 13, for a 1 p.m. non-conference tilt. Montclair State rises to 4-1 overall with the win and next hosts Misericordia University at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The Hawks' best scoring chance came in the 13th minute off a penalty-corner opportunity. Junior back Jessica Caruana (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem East) ended up blasting a shot from the top of the circle that was turned aside by the Red Hawks' goalkeeper, junior Rebecca Brattole. In fact, that wound up being New Paltz's lone shot of the game, as Montclair State finished the evening with a 25-1 edge in that department.

New Paltz kept weathering the flurry of shots brought forth by the Red Hawks, but Montclair State finally broke the deadlock at 50:50, as Struss flipped the ball inside the near post off a hard pass by junior forward Maura Johnston. That one-goal advantage was enough for Montclair State to stake itself to, as the Red Hawks eked out the 1-0 victory at home.

In addition to the lopsided margin in shots, the Red Hawks finished with a 12-2 cushion in penalty corners. Brattole registered the shutout, making one save in 70 minutes of action in goal for Montclair State.